8.2 stars.
If you are hopelessly stricken by Austen's works, tread carefully into this story, as it may be offensive to your dogmatic senses and sensibilities.
This is the tale of a female author who is currently struggling with writer's block. She is well versed in old English literature and other similar works. There is much going on in her life, a boyfriend who wants more, a publisher who demands her best, and her personal life is cluttered with too many things. She makes a wish and we are taken back in time, into a book within a book, which eventually lands into yet a third.
Once again, Hallmark hits a home run. I find they are producing some very entertaining period pieces; almost defining for our times what a family friendly historical fiction film should be. Hollywood, take some lessons about 19th century English (family values oriented) comedy/drama from 'An American in Austen'.
I do fewer reviews these days, I've moved on after 800+. I feel for me it's better to rate a movie and get on with my day. But when I happen upon a remarkable film as this, I have to share my thoughts.
What jumps out immediately is the lead female/protagonist does not fit in with any of the characters from 'Pride and Prejudice', to whence she has been transported back in time. I feel this is a brilliantly clever rendition of a woman out of place and time. And, she very much seems 200 years out of place. Her mannerisms, colloquialisms, language, metaphors, and slang are so painfully untimely and vulgar. Yet, her character is so well versed in Victorian era knowledge due to her literature background, that she is able to navigate her way through with limited difficulty (conveniently explained by her being swept into the narrative as an American cousin of the family).
The script is amazingly clever and to augment it, the acting is equally as superb. Her character is emboldened with 21st century sarcasm and wit, refreshingly matched step by step by the intellect and savvy of the characters from the novel that she has found herself living in. She has wished to have a Mr. Darcy of her own, and her wish is granted. Of course, she is completely out of her element.
What a great theme for a wonderful story...brilliant, luminous, splendid!
