Director: Julian Jarrold
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Helen McCrory and James McAvoy
‘A Beautiful Period Piece’
Not many actresses in Britain built a legacy as strong as Helen McCrory. Ever since her rise to stardom during the 1990’s, McCrory became a feminist icon. Whether it’s magical professors, royal family figures or mothers, McCrory has played many characters. Arguably, McCrory’s finest strength as an actress has always been her bold screen presence. She is one of those rare actresses that has often had aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen time. Even in films where she’s given little screen time, McCrory has always left a strong impression. Through her abilities to create characters that audiences relate to, McCrory became an actress with great value. However, recently, McCrory’s career came to a tragic closure when she passed away from Breast Cancer. In the sake of her heartbreaking death, McCrory left behind a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout her career, McCrory created many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of McCrory and adore all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Becoming Jane” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2007, Julian Jarrold’s film offered a beautiful tribute towards Jane Austen and her legacy. Packed with stunning production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period pieces ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Helen McCrory, who embodies an aristocratic woman that forms a friendship with the iconic author. Ultimately, what makes “Becoming Austen” a timeless classic is bold appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. The movie delivers a meaningful message about the writing process which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about the life of a legendary author, there are many strong reasons why “Becoming Jane” is a commemorated period piece worth seeing.
Based on the life of Jane Austen, “Becoming Jane” tells the story of an author that seeks recognition. Anne Hathaway portrays Jane Austen, a woman with strong writing passion. Jane has often had talent for writing stories which entertain. Raised in an impoverished family, Jane has always had dreams of being wealthy. Jane’s dreams come true when she falls in love with Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy). Lefroy is a handsome nobleman that forms a strong bond with Jane. However, Jane’s hope of romance is threatened when it threatens to destroy her career as a writer. Attracting the attention of her controlling aunt Mrs. Radcliffe (Helen McCrory), Jane questions whether she can achieve commemorated literary prosperity. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Jane questions if it’s truly possible for her to become a famous author.
Julian Jarrold is fascinated with period piece dramas. A fantastic British filmmaker, Jarrold has often made engaging movies about lives of lovers facing disaster. His film “Brideshead Revisited” offered a powerful portrait of bold bridesmaids facing tragedy. With “Becoming Jane”, however, he made his first Jane Austen drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of a legendary author which is loved dearly but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Jarrold captures a woman embarking on a journey to discover her identity. Inspired with Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice”, Jarrold effectively employs montages capturing the tensions between two prejudiced lovers which experience adversities. For instance, montages enhance the ballroom dance scene. During this intense scene, Jane has a tense dance with Tom Lefroy. Through montages, Jarrold honoured the legacy of an author that readers value. Montages are not simple to use in movies. As Stephen Frears’ “The Queen” suggested, montages enhance movies about the royal family. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through bold visuals, Jarrold caprices tensions that authors are facing.
Another commendable aspect of “Becoming Jane” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is well made. Jarrold effectively uses costumes to capture the journey of an author seeking to discover her identity. Throughout the movie, Jane Austen’s costumes showcase her strong transformation into an independent woman. For instance, costumes elevate the proposal scene. During this intense scene, Jane Austen is given a proposal by a wealthy suitor whom she turns down. Through powerful costumes, Jarrold creates a strong feminist icon which audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Adrian Johnston’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that writers bear. Through strong production design, Jallord honours an author penning commemorated stories which shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Becoming Austen” is a film about a famous author that’s compelling. The movie is well-written, and uses dramatic monologues to capture the lives of authors facing tension. Throughout the film, Jarrold uses dramatic monologues to capture the tensions which Jane Austen faces. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the conversation scene During this memorable scene, Jane has a tense conversation with Lady Gresham about her marriage. Through strong monologues, Jarrold captures the tensions that commemorated authors are facing. Dramatic monologues are often tricky techniques to use in movie. As Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” suggested, monologues are suited to commemorated Broadway adaptations. That being said, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Jarrold honours the commemorated legacy of a legendary author that’s beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Helen McCrory delivers one of her best career performances as Ms. Radcliffe. McCrory first earned appreciation playing magical women in fantasy films. With “Becoming Jane”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary author which achieved success in English history but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional on her most iconic role. McCrory has often excelled playing emotional women under stress, and “Becoming Jane” showcased her strength as an actress. With bold expressions, she captures the angst, grief and resentments of an author. It’s a powerful performance from one is the finest actresses in Britain.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Helen McCrory, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Anne Hathaway is astonishing, capturing passion of a legendary author determined to find a way to publish stories with a price to pay. James McAvoy is magnificent, bringing authority to a nobleman that falls in love with a celebrated author facing joy. Lastly, Julie Walters merits appreciation. As Jane Austen’s mother, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Becoming Jane” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing writers penning tales that entertain. Unlike most movies about iconic authors, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses universal themes such as identity, grief and family which would resonate definitely with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to recognize it. It delivers a stirring message about identity which everyone would relate to. Therefore, “Becoming Jane” is one of those rare period dramas everyone will adore.
Fans of Jane Austen will definitely appreciate “Becoming Jane” and so will movie-goers that seek heartfelt entertainment. A spellbinding tribute towards Jane Austen, it celebrates an actress that has achieved recognition.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a legendary author seeking to publish larger-than-life stories that changed the world of English literature, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following making memorable movies that deserve to be celebrated several years after her heartbreaking death left the film industry mourning forever.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 