Closing out the Milwaukee Film Festival this past month, the final movie of the annual two-week celebration was the French romantic comedy “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life.” Starring Camille Rutherford, this film is the directorial debut of Laura Piani.
The piece follows typical romcom territory by centering around the amorous misadventures and complicated relationships of Agathe, a socially isolated and insecure young woman unsure of her writing ability who has practically given up on the idea of hopelessly falling in love thanks to the dismaying state of modern dating.
Her best friend, who she might have a slight crush on and frustrates her to no end, submits her work to the Jane Austen Writing Residency without her knowledge. She finds herself accepted and transported into a completely new world of expression and discovery that makes her feel out of her depth.
Amidst this countryside getaway, she struggles with intense imposter syndrome among already established artists and has an increasing tension with a living relative of Jane Austen. She seemingly cannot draw herself away from or avoid him, no matter how much he irritates and disagrees with her worldviews.
In truth, there is nothing particularly innovative about the film, with none of its narrative or characters treading new water and breaking new ground in its entirety.
Being described as “hopelessly clumsy yet charming,” how many main protagonists like Agatha have been in cliched pictures like these previously, being incapable of carrying a single conversation but still attracting multiple suitors her way and daydreaming of a fantastical romance that simply stumbles across her path without any amount of effort?
The movie is pure and unabashedly wish fulfilling on all levels tied together in a neat and appealing bow, having a writer with no prior experience or publication history attend a prestigious retreat, directly entering the kind of love stories she reads about and creates.
These formulaic tropes and tired genre conventions do not downplay how undeniably well-made this picture is, having a consistent witty sense of humor that makes even coldhearted curmudgeons warm up to this eclectic cast and be invested in their low-stakes shenanigans.
Carrying this sometimes underdeveloped and rushed script are the performances that remain thoroughly endearing. Charlie Anson as the Byronic love interest serves as a good Hugh Grant stand-in, and Rutherford makes this stereotypical role her own in fleshing out her subtle interiority.
The very setting of the plot, taking place in old English cottages and cluttered bookstores, is also comforting and feels soothingly lived in. It makes one want to curl up on a cozy couch in front of a roaring fire or go exploring through a luscious garden.
Speaking of aesthetically pleasing, the film is beyond stunning throughout its whole duration and from every angle. The cinematography is reminiscent of early 2000s photographs with a misty watercolor look, and the directing showcases promise that excites me for Piani’s work in the future.
Now showing in theaters, “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” is well worth a watch for those searching for an unserious movie that is sure to bring smiles and inspire a little bit of hedonistic fantasizing. It fills a certain niche for viewers who want to escape the complexity of reality for a moment and pretend to run a cute corner store while smitten with the neighbor next door.