A romantic comedy about 30-something, single Jane Hayes (Keri Russell), a seemingly normal young woman with a secret: her obsession with all things Jane Austen. But when she decides to spend her life savings on a trip to an English resort catering to Austen–crazed women, Jane’s fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency–era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined.
Austenland is a British-American romantic comedy film directed by Jerusha Hess. Based on Shannon Hale’s 2007 novel of the same name and produced by author Stephenie Meyer, it stars Keri Russell as a single thirty-something obsessed with Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice, who travels to a British resort called Austenland, in which the Austen era is recreated. JJ Feild, Jane Seymour, Bret McKenzie, and Jennifer Coolidge co-star.
About the Story (2013)
Jane Hayes (Keri Russell) is a single 30-something American woman obsessed with Colin Firth’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice who wishes for a nice Englishman of her own. After yet another failed relationship, Jane decides to blow her savings on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to a Jane Austen–themed resort in England.
The resort seems like the perfect escape from 21st-century life. The guests at Austenland, which is run by the prickly Mrs. Wattlesbrook (Jane Seymour), are called by imaginary names, dress in period costume, and conduct themselves like ladies and gentlemen of the Regency era. They live without modern conveniences (though the plumbing is modern). Activities offered at the resort include needlepoint, riding, reading, shooting, and entertaining the other guests through musical performances or theatrics. At the conclusion of each guest’s stay, a ball is held… romance guaranteed!
Upon her arrival, Jane realizes that, while she could only afford the inexpensive “copper” package, the other guests — including Ms. “Elizabeth Charming” (Jennifer Coolidge) — have all purchased the most expensive “platinum” option. Although she quickly befriends Martin, the resort’s chauffeur, Jane is treated with disrespect and disdain by Mrs. Wattlesbrook, who prefers the resort’s wealthier guests. While the other guests are given a wide choice of costumes and shown to luxurious rooms, Jane is given a plain dress and a sparsely-decorated chamber in the “creepy tower” of the servants’ quarters.
At dinner on their first night, Jane and Elizabeth are introduced to the gentlemen of the house: Colonel Andrews (Callis), an eccentric man to whom Elizabeth takes an instant liking, and Mr. Henry Nobley (Feild), Mrs. Wattlesbrook’s handsome — albeit unenthusiastic — nephew. They are also introduced to another, exceedingly wealthy guest, who has been given the name Lady Amelia Hartwright (King). Amelia and Elizabeth flirt openly with Nobley throughout dinner, while Jane finds him rather disagreeable. Their argument ultimately mirrors the one had by Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy upon their first meeting in Pride and Prejudice. Ultimately, Jane is humiliated by Mrs. Wattlesbrook and leaves the table.
Jane again feels left out the following morning during a walk around the grounds. After leaving the group to seek solace with a book in the stables, she is discovered by Martin (McKenzie). Martin flirts with her, but the two are interrupted by Elizabeth, Nobley, and Colonel Andrews, who arrive with news of an upcoming hunt. Martin’s attentions to Jane during the pheasant shooting incites Nobley’s jealousy; Jane’s surprising skill in turn incites Amelia’s.
When Jane is forced to walk back to the house in the rain, she is rescued by Nobley. That evening, Jane becomes bored of the group’s card games and leaves the house for a walk around the grounds. She runs into Martin; after flirting and witnessing the birth of a foal in the stables, they kiss. The following afternoon, Jane convinces Martin to break the rules: they take a rowboat out on the canal and spend the afternoon together.
The following day, the party is disrupted by the sudden arrival of another actor, the handsome Captain East. Everyone except Nobley is impressed by the Captain, who in turn seems taken with Jane. Martin witnesses the Captain making a pass at Jane from a distance. When Jane comes to visit him in the stables, he rebuffs her for “parading around” with the actors. When she asks if he is breaking up with her, he replies that they were never “going steady.” Jane is left alone, angry and confused.
Austenland (2013)
Directed by: Jerusha Hess
Starring: Keri Russell, JJ Feild, Jennifer Coolidge, Bret McKenzie, Georgia King, Jane Seymour, Silvia Crastan
Screenplay by: Jerusha Hess, Shannon Hale
Production Design by: James Merifield
Cinematography by: Larry Smith
Film Editing by: Nick Fenton
Costume Design by: Annie Hardinge
Set Decoration by: Jacqueline Abrahams
Art Direction by: Patrick Rolfe
Music by: Ilan Eshkeri
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content and innuendo.
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: August 16, 2013
Visits: 83
