How Jane Austen Sent My Life Spiraling: A Captivating Reflection

Imagine, if you will, a frolicsome pirouette through the fields of 18th-century literary contemplation, all wrapped in contemporary French charm, or as the title coyly suggests, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life. Directed and written by the audacious Laura Piani, this delightful 2024 pièce de résistance flounces into the limelight, sans zombies but with an abundance of ribbon bows and a dash of mud for good measure. It’s a love letter to Austen, sprinkled with modern whimsicality and just a spoonful of self-awareness.

Now, let’s face it; Piani has set herself a task as daunting as knitting a cable-knit sweater during a flash mob. Her characters, after all, must navigate the delicate dance between being hopeless romantics and oh-so-sensible feminist icons. While we’re all for some sweet escapism, we can’t ignore the penetrating reality check that is modern love – a paradox that certainly makes for uncomfortable yet oddly charming viewing. And one must admit, there seems to be a genuine appetite for this unique blend of romantic comedy-drama, as evidenced by its recent venture into various territories, including the U.S. ahead of its TIFF debut.

The enchanting Camille Rutherford takes center stage as Agathe – a woman whose ambition burns brighter than her daily cappuccino order. Working at the charming bookshop Shakespeare & Co. in Paris, Agathe secretly dreams of publishing her own novel, yet she staunchly rejects modern dating apps, believing it far more poetic to chance upon her soulmate in a serendipitous real-life moment. Meanwhile, her adorable sidekick, Felix (played with devil-may-care sass by Pablo Pauly), embraces a rather modern approach to romance—bed-hopping while strategically planting himself at Agathe’s cozy apartment, as if it were his second home. Who needs a dating app when you have a friend with benefits, right?

Everything escalates when Agathe, with a nudge from Felix that could double as a live-action cheerleading routine, accepts an unexpected writer’s residency in England—granted, under the benevolent shadow of Jane Austen’s estate. Here, as her creativity burgeons, she strives to capture the essence of the novel she’s been getting a bit too tipsy to fully conceptualize in a nearly empty Chinese restaurant where a naked man seems to have inspired the plot. No, dear reader, this is not a fever dream—but it brings to mind the cinematic vibrancy of In The Mood For Love. Piani, it seems, adores playing with references as if she were at a buffet of literary and cinematic delights.

However, darling, let’s be honest; the film occasionally flirts with an overly whimsical tone that teeters on the brink of absurdity. But it’s saving grace lies in the grounded performances of its cast—particularly Rutherford, whose straightforward charm helps cushion those jarring tonal shifts. Still, brace yourself for the few slapstick moments that squeak more awkwardly than they land as laugh-out-loud hilarity.

As the first hour unfolds like a light breeze in a Parisian café, we are welcomed into this modern escapade with a delightful ease. Yet, much like an experimental soufflé, it starts to sink in the final act, laden with a heaviness that isn’t entirely welcome. The transition to more traditional Austen themes slows the narrative pace and dims the vibrant pretense, bringing a sobering quality that feels like sipping bitter coffee after dessert. And though handsome Oliver (the debonair Charlie Anson—yes, he of Downton Abbey fame) makes hearts flutter, his character feels more like a plot device than a real emotional rival in Agathe’s heart.

Let’s not pretend the oh-so-timely dilemmas of choice between two men offers any profound insight into Agathe’s psyche. This is mainly because, in today’s world, marrying for financial security has become a quaint relic of the past. If Agathe's novel flops, heaven forbid, she can always return to her beloved bookshop job—practical and delightful. Because of such oversights, the entire narrative struggles to transcend from a diverting anecdote riffing on Austen into a fully examined love story.

While Jane Austen Wrecked My Life superbly displays the lavish estates and grand balls reminiscent of her era—all crafted with charming ingenuity—where’s the emotional tumult that draws lovers back to Austen’s world repeatedly? After all, one must remember that it’s all about the delightful tension that keeps our hearts racing.

Rutherford has graced the screen in notable lead roles in smaller films, but here, she shines brighter than a fresh croissant at breakfast. Having danced between French and English cinema, this role could very well propel her into the spotlight across both markets—to keep us rooting for Agathe till the credits roll.