“Austenland,” the 2013 rom-com directed by Jerusha Hess and based on the novel by Shannon Hale, is a delightful romantic comedy that combines satire, romance and a playful homage to the works of the very real Jane Austen.
The story follows Keri Russell as Jane Hayes, an Austen-obsessed 30-something American daydreamer who decides to put her foot down and take charge of her own fleeting life by spending her entire savings on a trip to Austenland, a cosplay, Regency-era themed resort in England.
The resort offers an immersive Austen experience, complete with period costumes, scripted interactions with actors and a strict adherence to the social customs of 19th-century England. No mobile phones allowed.
The title “Austenland” itself reflects the central idea of the movie — a place where the dream of living in a Jane Austen novel can come true.
Set in a picturesque English countryside, Austenland is a vibrant and exaggerated portrayal of the world Austen created in her novels. The resort’s staff, led by the no-nonsense Mrs Wattlesbrook (played by the excellent Jane Seymour), ensures that all guests live completely immersed in the world they have created, while keeping within the strict parameters she has set.
But soon the line between fiction and reality begins to blur when real romance begins to blossom. And the discovery of a stealthily hidden mobile phone nearly ruins the whole thing.
Russell delivers a great performance as Jane, a hopeless romantic who awkwardly navigates the increasingly absurd world of Austenland in search of love. One memorable line is: “I am single because, apparently, the only good men are fictional!”
Jennifer Coolidge, who most recently returned to the spotlight with the recent hit “White Lotus,” is both hilariously clueless and charming as her adopted namesake Miss Elizabeth Charming.
Of course, there is a brooding, Darcy-esque suitor in their midst, bringing a sense of romantic idealism to the film’s comedic heart.
At its core, Austenland is a commentary on the ways in which people seek fulfillment in unrealistic ideals. The film explores themes of identity and self-worth, questioning whether true love can exist in a semi-modern world constructed from fictional fantasies. Or not.
As Jane navigates her own journey, she confronts the expectations that she has carried with her from Austen’s novels and begins to realize that love — and life — are more complex than any fictional tale could attempt to depict.
The pacing is quite breezy and light yet somehow stumbles a bit — arguably, reminiscent of an Austen novel.
While “Austenland” probably won’t appear on any must-watch classic list anytime soon, it remains an enjoyable watch and very Austen-esque.
