Capsule review by J.R. Jones (From the Chicago Reader) The Jane Austen Book Club “The movie equivalent of a toenail-painting session, this adaptation of Karen Joy Fowler’s best seller centers on a group of unhappy women (Kathy Baker, Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace) and one mystified man (Hugh Dancy) who convene every month to dissect a Jane Austen novel. Lit crit fights a losing battle with chick lit as the women whine about their uncaring men (Jimmy Smits, boor-for-hire Marc Blucas) but ultimately wind up clinking champagne flutes at a dinner dance with all their romantic problems neatly resolved. Being male, I can’t relate to this at all; on the other hand, I don’t need Midol either, but I’m glad it’s on the market. Robin Swicord directed. PG-13, 105 min.”
Penny rants: MIDOL?!? Ladies, The Jane Austen Book Club is not the greatest movie ever made, but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable feature about a group of well-drawn characters with genuine concerns & conflicts, & for sure, you will like this film much better than many of the prick flicks Jim would direct you to instead. Bad enough for Jim to make such a crude remark, but where were his editors–asleep at the wheel?!?
