During one of the more tumultuous times in world history, English novelist Jane Austen lived in the relative calm of Hampshire County. While a fledgling America was coming out of the shadow of King George III, and the French Revolution was going strong; young Miss Austen was making her way against oppression of a different sort. For a woman to be a writer was unusual. For a woman to try to earn a living at it…was unheard of. Becoming Jane is the story of Austen’s life before she penned her famous works, and more importantly, how love inspired her writing.

In Georgian England, a young woman’s future depended largely on a successful marriage. Becoming Jane opens with Jane (Anne Hathaway) and her family making a visit to the very proper and very arrogant Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith). Her Ladyship coolly interrogates the family on their private affairs, in particular the daughters’ marriage prospects. She also parades her nephew and only heir, the eligible Mr. Wisley for consideration. Wisley is not a boor, but his social skills are a bit clumsy, making him – despite his future wealth – less than desirable.

Naturally the young women are not interested; Jane’s older sister Cassandra is already engaged, and Jane insists she cannot Marry Without Affection, a mantra she holds to during the film. Enter Mr. Thomas Lefroy (James McAvoy), a handsome, quick-tongued lawyer from London. He meets Jane while visiting his relatives, friends of the Austens. Immediately, sparks fly between the two, but they are initially currents of disagreement. As one would expect, their subsequent interactions become more and more intense. This passion that begins as conversations between intellectual equals quickly deepens into love.
The acting is superb. James Cromwell (The Longest Yard, The Queen, The Green Mile) as Jane’s father, the Reverend Austen, does not disappoint, and neither does Julie Walters (Harry Potter, Mamma Mia, Billy Elliot) as her mother. Anne Hathaway is simply luminous. She captures Austen’s zeal and compassion nicely. Hathaway (The Princess Diaries, Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada) sustained some early criticism of her uneven English accent, and some folks wondered why an American was chosen to play an Englishwoman. Ms. Hathaway, who had done critical studies of Austen’s work previous to even being cast, rose above such obstacles to offer a marvelous portrayal of the beloved novelist.