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Whistle Stopper - The Jane Austen Book Club
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List Price: $26.96
Our Price: $16.85
Your Save: $ 10.11 ( 38% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Starring: Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace
Directed By: Robin Swicord
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Sony
EAN: 0043396225152
Format: AC-3
Label: Sony Pictures
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Region Code: 99
Release Date: 2008-02-05
Running Time: 106
Studio: Sony Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: 2007-10-05
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: WARNING: IF YO LOVE JANE AUSTEN, DO NOT SEE THIS FILM!
Comment: Treacle on fruitcake. Does that sound like Jane Austen to you, Austen-lovers? If so, feel free to partake. Me, I wanna go throw up. Jane would be turning over in her grave.
Customer Rating:
Summary: complete with requisite happy ending
Comment: Jane Austen fans will delight in this splendidly nuanced chick-flick. Like her novels, the film takes us into the lives of several women, through their struggles and triumphs, into a happy ending for all. Well-casted without any "stars", and written with quick, witty dialogue, the production also showcases the supportive nature of women's friendships. The concept, to reflect the characters and plots of the Austen books in the lives of contemporary women, was at times a bit strained, but overall this movie is highly enjoyable, a frothy concoction for the literary set.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Clever concept; good cast
Comment: Initially friends of Jocelyn, (Maria Bello) form a book club to help her get over the death of one of her favorite dogs. She is single and apparently finds emotional satifaction with dogs instead of men. Somehow casting the very beautiful Maria Bello in this role seems unrealistic but she does do a lot for the film.
Each of the members of the club has a major life upset so the group becomes therapy for them. One is dumped by her husband, another feels unloved by her husband, another is looking for yet another husband (she's had 6) and the Lesbian daughter has her own set of problems. Then, trying to fill out the group so that the number of members equals the number of Austen novels, Jocelyn invites a young guy, Grigg, (Hugh Dancy) who has tried to pick her up at a hotel.
It sounds hokey but it is actually not so bad. The cast is very good and somehow, although contrived, the writing is good enough to keep your attention. It's a pleasant way to waste an evening and it won't keep you awake with its deep message. I wonder if Jane would like it? Somehow I think not-so-much.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Brilliant all the way thru
Comment: Highly recommended. A brilliant cast see this film thru, from start to finish. Bought because im an Emily Blunt fan, i now love Maggie Grace and the entire cast. A great comedy, drama, romance, the lot. Could not fault this movie. Commentary is well worth a watch, great insight into production on this small film (by hollywood standards) Do yourself a favour and see this wonderful film. "Our world is an English village"
Customer Rating:
Summary: Loved it !
Comment: This movie was really funny, smart, sad sometimes, it has a little bit of everything and that's what makes it great.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Lest there be any doubts about the ongoing relevance of the novels of Jane Austen, the charming Jane Austen Book Club will lay them to rest--with wit, sharp insight, and a wicked chuckle or three. Directed by the talented Robin Swicord, who adapted the book by Karen Joy Fowler (and also wrote the crackling screenplay for the 1994 version of Little Women), the film is a modern-day comedy of manners, with deeply felt emotions, repressed feelings, unquenched desire and embarrassing relatives--all staples of Austen works. The film centers on a group of six friends in Sacramento, Calif., who gather to distract themselves from loss (a newly dumped Sylvia, played with grace and quiet pain by Amy Brenneman), repressed disappointment (the prissy teacher Prudie, played by Emily Blunt), or a life of unrealized dreams (Jocelyn, played by Maria Bello, whose acting skills have gained great nuance, both in comedy and drama). All are devoted Austen fans, except the lone man, Grigg (Hugh Dancy, adorable and available, ladies), who has an ulterior motive for joining the chick-lit gang. As the months unfold, we learn about the relationships of all the members, and watch as elements of Austen's novels and characters pop up with enchanting regularity. There's plenty of pride (Prudie), prejudice (Jocelyn), sense (Sylvia), and sensibility (Sylvia's daughter Allegra, headstrong and reckless in life and love, played by Maggie Grace)--and a fair amount of persuasion (Grigg and Sylvia's caddish ex, Daniel, a smooth Jimmy Smits). As the minuet of relationships and alliances unfolds over the months, the emotions are real and the leavening humor spot-on. About the only thing that doesn't ring true is seeing all these Sacramento women bundled up in shawls, blankets, thick sweaters and extra layers--even in July(!). Still, the film will engage even reluctant Austen readers (if there is such a thing). As Kathy Baker's Bernadette says gaily, "Jane Austen is the perfect antidote to life!" Elizabeth Bennett couldn't have put it better. --A.T. Hurley Stills from The Jane Austen Book Club (click for larger image)
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