Love & Jane

IN A NUTSHELL: The story is about a woman who is a literary enthusiast who works at an ad agency and runs a Jane Austen book club on the side. When she wishes Jane Austen could help her with life decisions, the famous author materializes and offers tips for love.

The Hallmark channel is featuring movies about Jane Austen fans during February. They're calling it "Love-uary." The story was written and directed by David Weaver.

THINGS I LIKED: The diverse cast includes Alison Sweeney, Benjamin Ayres, Kendra Anderson, Aadila Dosani, and more.

Many of the characters represent those in Jane Austen's books.

It's nice to see a romance with a woman who isn't 20.

If you love the famous lines in Jane Austen novels, you'll enjoy how often they're quoted in the movie. You'll definitely feel the passion for her books.

As an author of 31 books, myself, I'm always fascinated by movies about authors and where writers get their inspiration.

The last scene is pretty cute and a wink to something that Jane Austen said earlier in the film.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: There's an odd, dusty filter on every scene. Is that supposed to make the modern world feel old?

The dialogue feels so stilted.

So many awkward acting moments.

It takes a long time before we see Jane Austen appear in the film.

The actor who plays the Darcy character looked more like a villain than a romantic lead.

Sadly, I didn't feel any chemistry between the two leads.

A side story halts the pacing.

Lilly's character acted like a young, awkward girl rather than an older woman settled in her career.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be extremely bored unless they're big Jane Austen fans.

We see a lot of cleavage.

Alcohol No profanity. Yay!

To see my full review, go to my YouTube channel called Movie Review Mom!

I really wanted to like this one but the magical realism stuff isn't for me. The script was very weak and lots of stuff required suspending belief. Ali Sweeney is 47 years old but this script felt like it was written for a 27 year old. Can we please match actors to more age appropriate stories? I know Hallmark wants more younger and new viewers but they also have a loyal and aging fanbase and need to find that balance that appeals to both groups. Ali Sweeney and Ben Ayres do have chemistry but I don't think they're good screen partners because they're too similar. The Chronicle Mysteries were an absolute snoozefest too. This may have worked better with different actors but still a weak script overall.

Also, the set design was horrible. The bookstore looked more like a university library and wasn't welcoming at all. I did like the message about the importance of bookstores and the community aspect but the policy change at the end was ridiculous.

Cute, entertaining movie. When it finished I asked my wife, "Among Hallmark movies where do you put this one, upper, mid, or bottom third." She replied, "Definitely in the upper third." (We watch Hallmark movies regularly.)

Set in Boston but filmed in British Columbia, Alison Sweeney is Lilly Thorpe, working for an advertising agency. Several years earlier she had won some recognition for some writing and her ambition was to write a novel. Plus she is a big Jane Austen fan and leads a weekly Austen discussion group of ten.

To town comes Benjamin Ayres as wealthy businessman Trevor Fitzsimmon. He buys the local bookstore and Lilly's firm is to do new advertising for him. But it is also clear that Trevor is quickly smitten by Lilly. Will they become an item?

The novelty of this story is one evening Jane Austen herself appears but can only be seen and heard by Lilly. She continues to appear at future times and the two of them have meaningful conversations.

My favorite was their discussion of how long she has been dead. Lilly says "Two hundred and six years." Jane says in response, "It is two hundred six years, we must be proper." (The 'and' does not belong.) I smiled because that is a pet peeve of mine, as when a TV reporter will say something like "Three thousand and ten." The 'and' does not belong. I suspect few viewers will appreciate it as much as I did.

Anyway Allison Sweeney is always good, as a lightweight and entertaining movie it is fine. At home, streaming on Peacock.

With a different female lead, I might have really liked this for a Hallmark 'film'...I was particularly impressed when the classic Hallmark telltale sign that the final scene has arrived and you just know the credits will roll immediately...passed right by and the story continued, to provide a proper conclusion. Vaguely better writing with this Austen outing, and the odd fantasy elements meshed well with the book club, fan obsessed background. The fantasy element also consistently helped drive the plot along; Jane pushed the lead to make better choices in her life. Who wouldn't want Jane around to help us do that?

I'm pretty sure I've been a fan of Alison Sweeney in my younger years, on Days, but she's stilted and awkward throughout, and it is beyond distracting. She's not the ONLY poor actress (the "Jane" actress seems to be putting on a British accent - couldn't they find a Brit for the role? Otherwise, her acting is fine) in the cast, but as the lead, it's egregious. There were only a few moments of authenticity with her, like the popcorn fight with Jane. The bookseller's initial business idea was poorly conceived, to the point that nobody got it, but unlike others, I loved the sexy lead actor with the gravelly voice - or grew to love him, as we're meant to. Mr. Whitcomb was delightful! The Punjabi coworker/friend was good, too - both her acting skills and realistic subplot elevated the film's overall level and I wouldn't be surprised to see her in non-Hallmark fare. That is to say, there were a few bright spots, even among the actors, but the casting was...inconsistent.

Love and Jane is a sweet movie, with a very charming plot. Alison Sweeney is her usual upbeat, emotional self, a pleasure to watch in any film. This reviewer has only one concern about Love and Jane.

It refers to Benjamin Ayres' appearance. This actor is mature, serious, very gifted leading man. He is a pleasure to watch in any romantic story. However, recently there has been such a dramatic change in his appearance, it leaves one wondering what the reasons might be for such a strange physical presentation.

It was first noticed in a Christmas movie, A Miracle in Bethlehem, PA. Mr. Ayres was presented with a "grungy" unshaven face, his good looks altogether diminished by this new dark image, his hair was a disheveled mess, hanging into his forehead, in a strange uncombed style.

And, now, again, in Love and Jane, he appears in the same manner. Unshaven face, and messy uncombed hair.

Is there a new look being explored for this mature, very handsome actor? And what modern woman would be attracted to such a look in a man? Mr. Ayres deserves to be seen in his full, handsome, best way. He is a wonderful, emotional actor. He is a romantic lead with a mature presence and very appealing style. Why now present him in this grungy, messy manner?

If anyone has the answer to this question, please help. If anyone agrees with my confusion about the new "presentation" of Mr. Ayres, please contribute your feelings.

This viewer is left confused and very put off by the new look. Give us back a clean-shaven, combed hero. He is such a great actor, and deserves to be seen in his best handsome style.