There is no doubt that movies have become prime influencers of travel, showing the world’s various landscapes and destinations off in the very highest quality, with few authors’ novels enjoying more success that Jane Austen with a number of her novels not only featuring as a film adaptation of the novel but also as the story line for contemporary versions.
We all recall the wonderful Pride and Prejudice, with even a Bollywood version called Bride & Prejudice having been produced and even Bridget Jones’s Diary, based on a book by Helen Fielding, taking the story line and several characters directly from the novel.
Emma has been adapted on television several times with the 1995 film Clueless, a modernization of Emma in a California high school setting, Sense and Sensibility made into four films and Persuasion adapted into two television series and one feature film. Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey have both been made into films, with a new version of the former to be released in 2007.
The latest Jane Austen movie, Becoming Jane is one you just have to see, with the love story, inspired by the true romantic encounter of a young Jane Austen with Irishman Tom Lefroy – seen as a major influence on Austen’s work.
In brief and without wanting to spoil it for you, Jane Austen, played by Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada and Brokeback Mountain) believes in love and her parents, played by Julie Walters and James Cromwell, want her to marry for money and in 1795 England, that was the way of the world for a young woman.
But, when the 20-year-old meets the dashing young Irishman Tom Lefroy, played by James McAvoy, his intellect and arrogance ignite Jane’s curiosity and her world spins head-over-heels, with Jane’s dilemma being can she afford to spurn Lady Gresham played by Maggie Smith nephew’s offer, defying the authority of her parents and fly in the face of social convention?
In Becoming Jane, a young lady on the first rung of literary greatness risks a romance that was to shape her life and her work.
Becoming Jane was filmed on location in Ireland, in the stunning landscape of the counties of Wicklow, Dublin and Meath, from March to May 2006 and is visually fantastic.
The Mole is not going to reveal any more to you now, as you have to see Becoming Jane – and now you can!
Thanks to Dendy Films, we have several double passes for the sneak weekend screenings of Becoming Jane to give away, with passes valid from Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th March at all participating cinemas.
All you have to do is email The Mole now at [email protected] and name any three Jane Austen movies, with the first correct entries received winning the tickets!
First in, best dressed – go for it and enjoy Becoming Jane!
A TravelMole and Dendy Films opportunity
