Austen adaptation entertaining

It is without question that Jane Austen is the founding mother of women’s literature. Hollywood updates, reinventions and continual adaptations of Austen’s work are not enough. “The Jane Austen Book Club” has come to theaters to tell the story of women who just read her books.

The film uses the same lively characters that make the book of the same name so enjoyable. As the title states, the focus of the film is on six people who meet up every week and discuss a Jane Austen novel, but as with most book clubs, the real interest is on the people in it.

Free spirit Bernadette (Kathy Baker) is the founder. She hopes to cheer up Jocelyn (Maria Bello), whose main relationship in life was with her recently deceased dog. Also in the club is Sylvia (Amy Brenneman), who is in denial about a bad marriage ending in divorce and her closeted lesbian daughter, Allegra (Maggie Grace). Then there is the unhappily married Prudie (Emily Blunt) and the handsome sole male member, Grigg (Hugh Dancy), who has his eye on one of the group members. Slowly, these characters’ lives begin to resemble the Jane Austen book they are reading.

Austen’s books have held up over time because of their wonderful, energetic characters and the timeless quest that women embark on to find the man who loves you for you, no matter what society tells you.

The movie delivers for its target audiences: Jane Austen fans and women. Indeed, both should be pleased because the film is loyal to Austen’s works, and the acting does well with the given script.

Even though the film is a little melodramatic and corny at times, it is full of heart and quality entertainment. “The Jane Austen Book Club” will give pleasure and a little bit of hope to all the women who love watching chick flicks, and even a few of the men.