Becoming Jane

Well, here’s more likable inanity. This is a glib and lazy flight of fancy, repurposing Austen’s novels (largely Pride & Prejudice, as it’s the one audiences know best) as the story of her own life. I don’t mind that none of this is remotely true, but it’s not even plausible as a film. The romance is unconvincing; the angst and ardor trite and unearned. The only real difference between this and In Passing, really, is that this had a big budget, glossy production values, the pure redemption of Julie Walters & Maggie Smith, and a competent script doctor who knows how to satisfy the average viewer’s desires. All that doesn’t earn this film more points: it’s still utter crap.