The Jane Austen Book Club (Mario Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace, Hugh Dancy)

(Amazon UK link)

This is one of a handful of films which I have to admit that I enjoyed MORE than the book on which it was based.

A few years ago I picked up 'The Jane Austen Book Club', having read a few positive reviews about it. It was a confusing novel about six people who met monthly to discuss Jane Austen's books. I found it hard to keep track of who was whom, and didn't really track the parallels with Austen's books and the lives of those discussing them.

However I had heard that the movie was very well done, so I added it to my wishlist, and was given it recently. We - my husband, young adult son and I - watched it last night, and very much enjoyed it. The plot is essentially that of the book, but the cast were much easier to distinguish; there were no famous names amongst them, but each played their part superbly.

The oldest of the women has been married several times and thinks she might again one day. Sylvia, for whom the club is initially started, has just been divorced. Sylvia's daughter Allegra, who is gay, is betrayed by a lover. Prudie is a young rigid - but emotional - French teacher whose husband appears to care more about football than about her. Sylvia's close friend Jocelyn is a born match-maker... and then there's Grigg, the token male, who has never before read anything by Jane Austen.

Each of the main characters reflects some aspect of Austen's books in their personalities or their lives; not so overtly as to be predictable, but running through the whole story. And because we see them in action rather than getting flashbacks and conversation, I liked this very much indeed.

It's not necessary to be an Austen fan to like and understand this film - my husband has never read any of her books, although he's seen a few film adaptations. But it helps, to appreciate the ironies.

The rating is 12 (12A in the US) which we thought about right. There are a few instances of bad language, but not a huge amount. There are hints and beginnings of intimate scene, but nothing overt. And, thankfully, no violence at all.

The only 'extras' are a few deleted scenes, and some interesting interviews with the actors and production team.

Review copyright 2014 Sue's DVD Reviews