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Miramax Films in conjunction with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment releases the romantic comedy/drama, Becoming Jane

A cute and funny celebration of the love affair that inspired Jane Austen’s unforgettable novels, Becoming Jane drops on February 12. Boasting a stellar cast that includes Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith and Julie Walters and directed by Julian Jarrold, Becoming Jane is a movie as drama-filled and romantic as any Austen novel about a young woman who dared to marry for love.

When 20-year-old Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) meets up with the roguish Tom Lefroy (McAvoy), sparks begin to fly. Initially repelled by his arrogance, the emerging writer slowly realizes that she has finally found a man who appreciates her intellect as well as her beauty. As her parents (Julie Walters and James Cromwell) arrange a wealthy, aristocratic husband for her, Jane begins a clandestine romance with Lefroy. The young man proposes marriage, but his wealthy guardian, who holds his purse strings, disapproves of Jane’s outspoken manner and ambition to be a writer, and threatens to cut Tom off. In a world where marriage determines a woman’s fate, will they risk everything, including family and friends, for the sake of romance?

REVIEW
Given that there are a number of Jane Austen films around- particularly since PBS/ WGBH is running the series of Jane Austen right now, there is a competitive type of program about Jane Austen from that series. However, in watching this film, Anne Hathaway seems to have really come into her own in this period dramedy. Given that she has played many a contemporary character - and done so quite well, transferring a persona into a historial period can be quite difficult. Hathaway’s portrayal is seamless and lovely. She is stirring and well-suited to play the Austen character. McAvoy as her counterpart/suitor is quite good and meets the task ablely. He is quite the talk of the film world given all the roles he currently has done (Atonement) and seems to be the rising star. Given the other really well-known and heavy-weight stars in this film, it’s quite well done and it’s immensely enjoyable. Hathaway has a new place in period roles! So check this one out!
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Bonus Features

Discovering the Real Jane Austen - The best known author of her era, she continues to sell books and inspire films almost two hundred years after her death, but what do we really know about Jane Austen? Find out some surprising truths in this fascinating featurette.

Becoming Jane Pop-Up Facts & Footnotes -Interactive insights

Audio Commentary with director Julian Jarrold, writer Kevin Hood and producer Robert Bernstein

Deleted Scenes