Austenland

Austenland

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 9/13/13

Reviewed 9/15/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Lara

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Don't worry if you are drug to see this...no one you know will see you. Not a one in the theatre. Anyone who read the book or had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite movies Pride and Prejudice knows Mr. Darcy. A fairly pleasurable story that has some cutesie moments. At 97 minutes, keeping it short gets the highest marks in the rating, so that may be an indication.

Mr. Darcy is the obsession of Jane (Keri Russell). Her friend is trying to convince her to take down the Pride and Prejudice memorabilia all over her apartment, as she will never find a real man with this fixation. Jane ignores her and plans a trip to England to a fantasy land called Austenland. Jane meets another guest who will be called Miss Elizabeth Charming played by the not-to-be-taken-so-seriously Jennifer Coolidge. The Austenland adventure begins by the few guests being transplanted into the estate of a Jane Austen novel and everyone else is actors. The story plays out but is controlled by the puppet master Mrs. Wattlesbrook (Jane Seymour). JJ Field portrays Mr. Henry Nobley, nephew of Mrs. Wattlesbrook. In the fantasy Henry is also supposed to be playing out the Mr. Darcy character. He is a pretty darn good Darcy. Sigh Sigh. It is so silly, but at the same time kind of grows on you. Jane initially can make distinctions between the fantasy and what's really going on. As time passes she is not so sure any more, or just pretty duped. This might leave the theatre soon, so if you want to see it get there soon. If you see any couples, feel sorry for the poor male soul.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJJ