The Austen Da Vinci Connection

All I have been hearing about lately is the controversy over the upcoming Da Vinci Code film. Certain groups (mostly Catholic) want a disclaimer at the beginning of the film to tell the audience that The Da Vinci Code is a work of FICTION. Actually, reading this book by Dan Brown is on my to-do-list. A BIG pet peeve of mine is people who protest books, films, etc. that they have not read or seen. I have read a lot of information about The Da Vinci Code, so I don’t think that I will be too happy with it. My problem, so far, with this book, and film, is people taking it for the Gospel truth (pun intended). I have personally seen this happen. This book is classified as FICTION, hence said film is FICTION. I just worry about those that have little knowledge of the Catholic Church and take it for fact.


The real hidden mystery is who in the heck talked Tom Hanks into the most unattractive haircut in human history?

Now, you are wondering what in the heck does this have to do with Miss Jane Austen? A LOT, in my humble opinion. As I am typing this, a film biopic of Jane Austen is being produced. It is entitled Becoming Jane, and is said to be based on the book Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence (yet, another book on my lengthy to-do-list). The American actress Anne Hathaway stars as Miss Austen, and the story focuses on her short romantic relationship with Irishman Tom Lefroy. This has caused a literal firestorm in the Janeite community, much like the uproar over Keira Knightley playing Elizabeth Bennet in last years film version of Pride and Prejudice (and we all know how that turned out… cough… Oscar nomination… cough… Oscar nomination). The doubts on Miss Hathaway’s ability to portray my beloved author, and the authenticity of the script has been EXTREAM. I am in the minority. I am a big fan of Anne Hathaway, and I have a lot of hope in her. She studied English Literature at Vassar, and she seems to have a basic love and knowledge of Jane Austen. Much like The Da Vinci Code, my Janetie brethren are greatly concerned that this film will be taken as truth concerning Miss Austen’s life and character. I can defiantly understand this, but I am very happy that the public will be exposed to anything remotely Austen. Just like the idea in the book The Jane Austen Book Club, Jane Austen fans have their own private idea of who she was. The more I investigate the life of Miss Austen, I find that there are more questions unanswered than answered when it comes to her life. As a history major, I have found more inaccuracies in historical film than I have truths. Historical movies are always very influenced by the ideas and mores of the time that they are filmed. Because of this, I am sure that poor late 18th century Miss Austen will be portrayed as an “independent woman” (throw your hands up at me… sorry, didn’t mean to get all Destiny’s Child on ya). If Anne Hathaway comes away with the basic essence of Jane Austen I will be very pleased, indeed. My “personal” Austen was a great comedian and wit who was way ahead of her time. I believe in my whole heart that Anne can pull it off. We will just have to wait and see. Thank God, one more thing for us Janeite spinsters to look forward to!


Anne Hathaway (Jane Austen) and James McAvoy (Tom Lefroy) recently filming a ballroom scene for Becoming Jane. Awww... too cute! I am such a sucker!

I am sure that this is my first of MANY blog posts concerning Becoming Jane. You had better hold on!