The Jane Austen Book Club
User Score
6.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20

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  1. SteveT.
    Oct 5, 2007
    9
    A classy adaptation of a highly readable novel. High marks to all involved.
  2. DuaneD.
    Oct 9, 2007
    7
    If you're expecting a great movie you'll be disappointed. But the plot is clever, the dialogue is amusing and the acting is better than this film deserves. It's entertaining and usually that's enough.
  3. ChadS.
    Oct 20, 2007
    6
    Grigg(Hugh Dancy) is a science-fiction fan who tries to convince Jocelyn(Maria Bello), the literary snob, that a novelist like Ursula McGuinn is a good writer, period; not just a genre writer. "The Jane Austen Book Club" has an undeveloped academic side because there indeed are learned men and women who argue for speculative fiction as being undervalued. But the film doesn't back up its argument for genre fiction as literature, not if Grigg is going to say things like a one-volume compendium of Jane Austen novels as being sequels to "Northhanger Abbey", and that "The Empire Strikes Back"(George Lucas films being the low-end of sci-fi) shares a comparable plot point with "Pride and Prejudice". However, this film very subtly introduces the notion of the chick-flick as science fiction, especially when Prudie(Emily Blunt) convinces Dean(Marc Blucas) to read "Persuasion", patching up their unhappy marriage in the process. Literature can't save a marriage; a jock doesn't change his stripes overnight. What might've worked in the Karen Joy Fowler novel, doesn't all translate well on the screen.… Expand
  4. PatC.
    Jan 4, 2008
    1
    A very boring self satisfied and pretentious film.
  5. JorgeM.
    Oct 15, 2007
    8
    I did not read the book, but as a guy I enjoyed the film sooo much. Emily Blunt rules!
  6. JimG.
    Sep 22, 2007
    5
    Enjoyable for Austen fans.
  7. RegOz
    Jan 28, 2012
    6
    This is not a great movie but it is a nice one; although there were some things that were not very belieavable. This movie is the type of film you should watch just expecting to have some entertainment and not much thinking. Be aware that this movie may not suit every single taste and since it is a bit slow you may not be able to finish it. The best thing about this movie are the performances, because the plot in itself is not good enough. Two words about the conclusion of the movie: it feels a bit false. I am giving it a 6 because I enjoyed it but I wouldn't watch it again,… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    70
    The film's characters are lively, the women all look terrific (the guys do too, for that matter), and its many romantic story threads weave into artfully told tales of love lost and found.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Dennis Harvey
    70
    Cast is first-rate all around, unafraid to play up the annoying, insensitive or self-pitying aspects of their nonetheless likeable characters.
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  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Ella Taylor
    60
    Perfectly pleasant, perfectly undistinguished adaptation of a market-driven novel about six Sacramento lovelies trying to mend their stalled or broken lives while massaging each other's feet.
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