Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content, brief strong language and some drug use.
Directed by Robin Swicord (writer of Memoirs of Geisha)
Starring Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Jimmy Smits, Amy Brenneman…
Pretty good… for a chick flick!
The Jane Austen Book Club is about six Californians (5 girls and one guy) who start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships – both old and new – begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels.
“Give it 15 minutes.” That’s how it works in my house when I want to watch a film, but my wife isn’t too excited about it, or vice-versa. We say, give it 15 minutes, and if you don’t like it, scrap it. Well… I had to give this one 20 (guys, you understand… when you look over at your wife and she’s absolutely enjoying a film and she would be deeply disappointed if you bailed out… yeah… I was willing to invest another 5). But by 20 to 25 minutes, I, a guy, was also hooked.
The beginning was a little depressing. I wasn’t quite buying it. But as we slowly (emphasis on slowly) got to know the characters, they did start to grow on you.
The one guy in the bunch (Hugh Dancy from Ella Enchanted) made the film. He’s a lone sci-fi nut in the middle of 5 girls. He’s fun from his first moment on screen to his R2D2 cell phone ringtone.
I give the score just a “Rental.” I admit… if I was a little more versed in Austen, I probably would have enjoyed it more. But it’s a good date flick regardless if guys can handle an occasional Must Love Dogs or Steel Magnolias.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
I wouldn’t show it to my own elementary school and junior high aged girls. Not only would it be boring, it has the typical subtle messages that the world offers about sex with a casual attitude about adultery, pre-marital sex and homosexual relationships.
Real? Yes. Is it a good springboard for discussion with your older teenagers? Yes, absolutely. I would let mature teenagers see it with me if I make time to talk about some of it afterwards. The film has some positive themes (pro-marriage, pro-love). This provides real world occurrences and our kids are going to see this in their own world—might as well prepare them for it.
Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
