Our Review

            Movie: JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE

                             Rating: R, Language

                              Length: 1:34

            Release Date: May 23, 2025 in Select Theaters,                                         Nationwide May 30th

Jeanne: Rom/coms have taken a hit lately because not many seem to exist --- at least not ones that are any good. Writer/director Laura Piani, in her feature film debut, is helping to save the genre with her very funny, very clever ode to the much-revered British authoress in JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE.

Starring Camille Rutherford as Agathe, a frustrated writer employed at the utterly charming and world-renowned Shakespeare & Co bookstore in Paris, JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE opens with her dancing around the shop after hours to the tune, Cry To Me, an homage by Piani to DIRTY DANCING. Agathe longs to have lived in Jane Austen’s era and dreams of being a successful writer who experiences great love like many of Austen’s heroines.

Alas, she suffers from writer’s block --- until one evening, eating alone in her favorite Chinese restaurant, the picture of the man at the bottom of her teacup comes to life. As she imagines them dancing seductively around the restaurant, a story comes to her, and she immediately pens the first two chapters of a novel.

When Agathe refuses to continue writing, her best friend, Félix (Pablo Pauly), submits her work to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England. Upon her acceptance, Agathe’s insecurities kick in, so Félix must persuade her to go. Arriving in England, she is met at the ferry by Oliver (Charlie Anson), Ms. Austen’s great, great, great, great nephew, a teacher of English literature at King’s College, Cambridge.

After a rocky start between the two of them, Agathe and Oliver begin to form a bond. Their relationship verges on romantic until Félix shows up for the traditional ball, where all participants dress in attire from Jane Austen’s novels. Will Agathe choose Félix or Oliver --- and will she ever finish her book? 

Piani has a definite gift for writing comedy, which David and I have often stated is the most difficult of all to write. Laughter, especially in a crowded theater, is catching, but not always sustainable. But Piani, through Rutherford’s actions as Agathe, manages to keep the laughter flowing at a pretty even pace.

Rutherford, who was chosen early on by Piani, is perfect. Like Agathe, she has a wistfulness about her, and she can be quite clumsy at times, which just adds to her charms. And her beauty lends itself to the female protagonists populating Austen’s novels. She is particularly radiant at the ball, switching between her two admirers, Felix and Oliver.

Pauly plays the rogue Félix with great aplomb, while Anson is the epitome of British refinement. Both of them are well suited for their roles, adding to the romanticism that Piani is so adept at capturing. Along with the fine actors she has assembled, the composer, Peter von Poehl, has arranged timeless music to complement this captivating screenplay. I found the use of Schubert’s “Fantasia in F Minor, 4 hands in F Minor D 940” especially enchanting.

JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE is a modern-day romantic comedy. Agathe isn’t “saved by the man”. Instead, she proves to herself that she is capable of writing --- when she is ready --- and she decides which man is best for her.

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

David: Agathe (Camille Rutherford) is a French scribe who suffers from writer’s block. Part of her problem is the tragic car accident involving her parents of which we learn more details as the story moves along. In JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE, Rutherford plays the central character who carries this delightful romantic comedy.

Her closest friend, Félix (Pablo Pauly), arranges for her to be accepted into the prestigious Jane Austen Writers' Residency in England. This represents a two-week opportunity for serious authors to write in a relaxed environment with virtually zero distractions of normal life.

Reluctant at first, Agathe agrees and meets Oliver (Charlie Anson) who is assigned to drive her to the residence. It turns out that Oliver is the great, great, great, great nephew of Jane Austen, and he also happens to be quite handsome. As viewers, we sense immediately that somehow Agathe and Oliver, despite a rough beginning, are destined to end up together. This is what makes a rom/com successful --- that the viewing audience actually cares that two characters find love and companionship with each other.

Félix, Agathe’s best friend, sports a scraggly beard and has many female conquests. To complicate things, Agathe and Félix share an unexpected romantic kiss before she leaves Paris for England. Now Agathe is totally confused, as she is beginning to have feelings for Oliver. 

As a rom/com, JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE hits all the right notes. How Piani accomplishes the inevitable between Agathe and Oliver is absolutely great --- a slight smile here, a glance there. The two stars dance at a ball which is traditional during the two-week residency, and although not a word of dialogue is spoken as they twirl and stare into each other’s eyes, it’s obvious that their chemistry is unmistakable.

Trouble begins when Oliver’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere enroute to the residence. As he tinkers with the car’s engine, she’s on the phone speaking French about how she’s stuck with this guy. The only problem is he reveals he speaks French. This is just one of many laugh-out-loud moments in Piani’s screenplay.

In fact, Rutherford has a gift for both comedic timing, facial expressions and physical comedy. She does a divine job in this film. Personally, I would have liked more of the latter --- Rutherford reminded me of Lucille Ball, with just a couple of pratfalls.

Other actors have brief but memorable moments. This includes Alice Butaud as Agathe’s sister, Mona, who, at one point, smashes Agathe’s face into a bowl of pasta.  And Frederick Wiseman plays Oliver’s grandfather. At one point in the film, he composes a sweet poem for Agathe. In real life Wiseman is 95 years old and an award-winning documentarian.

The supremely entertaining JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE is easily one of the best movies of the year thus far.

Opinion: Strong See It Now!