Guerrilla Janeiteism: help choose the BECOMING JANE film poster
film ick blog is displaying four versions of the BECOMING JANE film poster and has a link where one might vote upon which one likes the best.
We would not attempt to influence your choice; but we suggest you do not pick the one that is blatantly catering to the Made Up Story aspect of the film. (Can you guess which one we mean?) Not that the others are exactly a spectacular choice.
Thanks to Karim for posting the link in comments.
December 21st, 2006 at 8:15 pm
I like the one with the quote…a bit of intelligence thrown in for good measure. Did anyone else think they look ALOT like the 2005 P&P poster????
December 21st, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Did anyone else think they look ALOT like the 2005 P&P poster????
Yep.
December 21st, 2006 at 8:22 pm
I thought so. Blatant hitchhiking. Where is the originality?
December 21st, 2006 at 8:38 pm
I immediately thought the same thing, Jessica. The overall design is quite like that of the newest P&P’s posters. I liked the fourth one the best: Anne Hathaway as Austen alone and balanced with the quote about women concealing knowledge–a great example of Austen’s tongue-in-cheek, wonderfully cynical humor.
December 21st, 2006 at 9:17 pm
we suggest you do not pick the one that is blatantly catering to the Made Up Story aspect of the film. (Can you guess which one we mean?)
I think you mean the one that says “Her own life is her greatest inspiration” Made Up Story, for easier identification is the one where Anne Hathaway is swinging.
Did anyone else think they look ALOT like the 2005 P&P poster????
Me three. Not only the P&P3 poster, but P&P3 images themselves (KK swinging and KK and MM dancing), and since I positively hate that film, you may guess I’m not happy with these posters.
December 21st, 2006 at 10:11 pm
Lovely design, but why Anne Hathaway? Even if it is a ‘made-up story’ couldn’t they at least picked someone else?
That said, James is gorgeous.
I’ll see the film, if for only him. =)
December 21st, 2006 at 10:26 pm
I agree about the 4th one which uses the quote as the best one. I will have to see the film for curiosity sake, but I know I’m going to be sitting in the theater incredulous throughout!
December 21st, 2006 at 10:48 pm
The “her life was her best inspiration” or whatever it was is just plain insulting.
December 21st, 2006 at 11:01 pm
Didn’t Keira Knightley already do the swing thing?
“~~We would not attempt to influence your choice; but we suggest you do not pick the one that is blatantly catering to the Made Up Story aspect of the film. (Can you guess which one we mean?)~~”
Actually, I would disagree — I think it would be best to vote for the poster that’s most likely to represent the film - even the “MADE UP” aspect.
Mustn’t misrepresent anything. I’ll probably vote for the landscape poster with the actual Austen quote, however.
And - did anyone notice this resemblance, or am I insane?
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/3239/scarypr6.jpg
December 22nd, 2006 at 12:39 am
LauraGrace, is that Beauty from Beauty and the Beast?
Mags I agree, “her own life is her greatest inspiration” is downright insulting, and a load of crap. Who are they to say what her inspiration was? Also hate the “Becoming a Woman, Becoming a Legend” of the last poster. Aaarrrggghhh! Gag me with a cliche.
December 22nd, 2006 at 1:55 am
And I see the P&P3 resemblance, but P&P3’s poster was very like S&S2’s one: http://janeausten.webcindario.com/images/ss2.jpg
Two photographs in a yellow background…with smiling girls or in close up.
Please…is it difficult to have imagination in Austen’s film posters? :O I hope they will make more posters
PS: I chose the number 4.
December 22nd, 2006 at 4:33 am
I liked the first poster with both Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy on it best, so I chose that one. It doesn’t say things like ‘becoming a woman, becoming Jane’ or that JA’s own life inspired her. The last poster was good too, because it contained a quote from JA herself, but I think the first poster will be most attractive.
December 22nd, 2006 at 5:12 am
I wouldn’t even consider any except the fourth: it’s the only one that has anything at ALL to do with her writing on it. And whatever the truth of how Jane felt about Tom - which is something no one will ever know - the ONLY reason any romance she might have had with him is worth making a film out of at ALL in the first place is because she was one of the greatest literary geniuses that ever lived! Is it really asking THAT much to have this minor point reflected in the advertisements???
GRRRRR!!!!
I also put my age down as 29 (which is the upper end of where I’m imagining their target group), which is a blatant lie. This Austen whore is quite middle aged. But this is war. ‘Guerrilla’ war in more ways than one, Mags!
December 22nd, 2006 at 5:53 am
I too voted for the one with the quote on it. They are all equally cheesy, but that’s the one least painful.
December 22nd, 2006 at 6:13 am
Well I like all of them except the first one, its suppose to be about Jane Austen so just have her on the poster ( although I don’t mind seeing a bit of James McAvoy but the first one has too much of him ).
I go for the second last one.
December 22nd, 2006 at 6:17 am
*oops my mistake I mean I went for the last one.
December 22nd, 2006 at 10:18 am
Just proves my theory that previous JA adaptations (or similar) influence the next.
December 22nd, 2006 at 10:37 am
Jessica Irene: ROFL at “Gag me with a cliche.” That’s a really good one.
I don’t consider myself a snob about things Austen but I thought they all sucked so I didn’t vote. I just couldn’t.
Yes I recognized the similarity with the P&P 2005 posters. Just shows that creativity is no longer an integral part of the industry, except in changing true stories to make them “more interesting.” P&P 2005 grows on you, it is by no means the worst production ever, and their posters were much better than these pathetic offerings.
I like what the blogger said about inflicting the posters on people. Apt description.
December 22nd, 2006 at 10:37 am
It’s really too bad that Cassandra destroyed so many of Jane’s letters. I’ve a feeling that her real story (with or without romance) would be plenty entertaining! Especially if depicted by someone without a hackneyed imagination - but hackneyed and Hollywood kind of go hand in hand, don’t they? I’m with Kerry though, I’ll see the movie because I have to - even though I’m sure I’ll have to immerse myself in her works and letters afterwards to wash the Hollywood off!
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:02 am
Ha, love the Beauty comparison!
I voted for 4 as well, though I don’t understand how it can be the official poster, at least in the US, where the main posters are always taller than they are long.
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:42 am
Am I the only one who dOesn’t see that much of a similarity between these posters and P&P’S poster?
But then again I never really paid attention to P&P’s poster!!!
December 22nd, 2006 at 12:30 pm
The lighting and poses are extremely similar. But they went too yellow on these.
December 22nd, 2006 at 4:21 pm
That first one looks like “Shakespeare in Love” or something.
December 22nd, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Urk! I chose the fourth one (with a quote from Not-Made-Up Jane). The swing one is really ghastly, apart from I-already-feel-queasy line “her life was her best inspiration”, what is she WEARING in the swing one? Some sort of string halterneck? Eh?
December 22nd, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Did anyone else think they look ALOT like the 2005 P&P poster????
Noticed it right away. But they are all beautiful, I think, however made up the story is. I picked the horizontal one–b/c it had the quote.
December 23rd, 2006 at 1:01 am
I dont like the fact that they all look like the 05 P&P poster. Talk about lack of original thinking…I suppose it’s sure to get people’s attention in that way(P&P poster) though.
December 23rd, 2006 at 7:10 am
Did anyone else think they look ALOT like the 2005 P&P poster????
I thought so too. They had the imagination (or whatever) to make up the story but didn’t have it in them to make original posters? *cough*allaboutmoney*cough*
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:50 pm
I very much agree about the Becoming Jane posters looking alot like the P&P 2005 poster. I wonder if whoever designed them did that on purpose. The recent P&P was a big hit and helped people become interested in Jane Austen’s books. Maybe they’re hoping that people who saw P&P will notice the posters’ resemblance and because of that see Becoming Jane.
Or I could be totally wrong…
December 23rd, 2006 at 1:15 pm
I voted for the fourth one as well. I agree with Chantel, though, that all of the posters are beautiful, silly slogans aside.
December 23rd, 2006 at 4:30 pm
The dancing pics of Jane and Tom (Anne H. and James McAvoy) soooo reminded me of the ones of Keira and Matthew from P+P3 (see http://www.reelingreviews.com/prideandprejudicepic.jpg). But I do wanna watch this–besides that they’re screwing up Jane Austen’s life, I kinda like the look of this. I’m not that particular, I know. I mean, I can stand some Hollywood crap. I don’t love it, but it doesn’t bother me to bits. If they really get cliched and cheesey, then I can’t help feeling like, “Gag me with a Barbie.”
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:52 pm
What’s really bothering me: since Jane’s novels are fiction, go ahead, mess with the auntenticity a bit, put on the romantic gloss, we’ll grin and bear it. But this is about Jane Herself. It should be autobiographical, and true. Have at P&P all you want, but don’t mess with Jane Herself!@!!!! Gag me with another chick flic!
December 24th, 2006 at 2:29 am
Well, I rather think that a movie about her actual life would be a bit boring, honestly. It’s made for Biography, not Hollywood-I’m not surprised at all that they would change things. Besides, Cassandra burned the letters. For all we know, this did happen. Probably not, but we don’t have any positive evidence to the contrary.
December 24th, 2006 at 7:53 am
I don’t think a movie about her actual life would be boring at all. Her life must not have been easy, so there’s enough material for a whole drama series about her!
If the filmmakers also thought the actual story of her life was boring, why did they even want to make a movie about her, then? Well, actually I know the answer is that the name ‘Jane Austen’ on a film poster will guarantee a lot of money, but I think that’s an awful reason for making a movie… :-S
December 24th, 2006 at 8:25 am
I think Franka’s right–it’s a guaranteed money-maker. Angsty romance and Jane Austen. Never mind that she didn’t really write angst. And tying it to P&P, of course, is a guaranteed money-maker, because she really didn’t write five other novels, just the only one that matters. </snark>
And no, this could not have happened. They made it up. They changed the few facts that ARE known. And they are making it seem like her life was Pride and Prejudice, which is not only untrue but insulting to her genius. She created characters and plots and carefully crafted them to serve a purpose. She did not write memoirs.
If they wanted to tie in one of her novels to her life, a more profitable scheme, in my opinion, would be the Mysterious Suitor-by-the-Sea and Persuasion. Though I doubt that would have happened, either.
December 24th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
This is what one might call a BioFic.
December 24th, 2006 at 11:58 pm
I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but… http://www.hanwayfilms.com/flash_positive.htm
Under “Our Films,” “Current Films,” “Becoming Jane”- there’s a synopsis that begins with: “22-year old Jane Austen is in a spot of trouble. Jane’s older sister is happily married.”
Oh, dear oh dearohdear.
December 25th, 2006 at 1:11 am
I chose the fourth one, mostly for the quote. I’m still rather hesitant to believe Anne Hathaway to be a good Jane Austen…but I like to try it before I knock it.
Perhaps it might end up being a decent movie…? (here’s hoping - I like my glass to be half-full)
December 25th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Guys.. If you think that this is going to be bad, cuz its a made up story then its very simple DONT WATCH IT!!!!… Well, me a fan of Jane Austen will be watching it and I dont have anything against the made up story.. Titanic,Shakspeer in Love were made ups and huge hits and you guys haven’t seen it yet so I think its stupid to do a blog so you could onl say negative stuff about the movie which hasnt been released yet.. So screw you all!!
December 25th, 2006 at 11:22 am
Silly me! I thought the comments section of a blog was a place for people to express an opinion. You know, share their thoughts and feelings with others who share a similar interests. Obviously, “Anonymous” does not care if historical films are accurate. Many others do and are expressing their 1)disappointment that in making a film supposedly about Jane Austen the film makers have chosen to ignore and/or change what is known about her life and 2)concern that because of these changes,what could have been a cause for celebration among Austen fans MAY be a travesty. Everyone who has posted so far has stated they will see the movie anyway, hoping for the best.
P.S. Popularity and quality are not synonymous.
December 25th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
me a fan of Jane Austen
Yeah. Sure.
Titanic,Shakspeer in Love were made ups and huge hits and you guys haven’t seen it yet so I think its stupid to do a blog so you could onl say negative stuff about the movie which hasnt been released yet.. So screw you all!!
Nice to hear from the target audience for the film. Thanks for your input.
December 25th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Oh, and Fanny…we spork-fisked that site a while back. And “oh, dear” about sums it up!
I wonder, though, if Cassandra is just engaged to be married and they got it wrong? At the time all this happened, Cassandra was indeed engaged to Tom Fowle and it was before he died.
December 25th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
Dare I say it…? Anne Hathaway is soooo pretty it is ridiculous. I know a lot of people hate her, but I actually like the gal. Give her a rest.
Reading the comments here, I remembered another Hollywood biopic from a few years back, Frida. I have read from somewhere that Salma Hayek was very adamant to make it as authentic as possible, but the big guns of the production machine just wouldn’t let her. She even had to fight to get Frida Kahlo’s unibrown on the screen, and her hairy armpits were axed out right away. I think these movies become what they are bacause the American film industry cannot cope with the reality as it is, but needs to have it watered down and cuted up. But still, lets wait till Becoming Jane actually comes out - it just might be charming
December 25th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
I picked the fourth poster because it de-emphasized Anne Hathaway’s face. She looks so perky in the other three that I just want to strangle her. Just my two cents.
December 26th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
When I saw the posters the first thing I thought is P&P3. How blatant can they be..anyway I am still not interested in this movie whatsoever.
December 27th, 2006 at 6:49 pm
In response to Anonymous, no one has to like the movie just because it’s not out yet. Though I am in favor of giving things a fair chance.
I’m going to see it. I view it as entertainment. That’s what movies are. If I want factual information I read.
It may be a very enjoyable film. What most of the people on this blog object to is that Becoming Jane is being blatantly marketed as a true story, when in fact it is only “based on a true story.” It’s not the film that upsets people, it’s the intended deception by a film industry that just wants to cash in on the recent wave of Austen Fever.
I disliked the posters because they lacked originality. That’s not a reflection on the movie because most likely the people who designed the posters were not involved in making the film.
There’s room on the internet for all kinds of opinions.
December 28th, 2006 at 7:01 am
can anyone please post a link for the prife and prejudice posters?? cuz i cant find them anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!
December 28th, 2006 at 9:00 am
And the target demographic is heard from once again!
December 28th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
Now Mags, that could be an entirely different Anonymous.
Anonymous, I don’t have any links but if you go to a major search engine and use their image search for “Pride & Prejudice posters”, you should find them. Also the cover image for the DVD would give you a good idea of what the posters looked like.
December 29th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Anonymous, I have never heard of “prife and prejudice”. Is that a new film version?
December 29th, 2006 at 11:59 pm
I will, unfortunately, sit through anything with the words “Jane Austen” in it. I figure if I can sit through the horridly mishandled “Mansfield Park 2″ (with Jonny Lee Miller), I can sit through (and possibly enjoy) one that stars the lovely James McAvoy and Anne Hathaway. I know she’s often unpopular but I admit I do like her.
I voted for poster 1. I’m a romantic so I liked that one the best, plus I thought JM looked yummy in it. The landscape version with the quote is my #2 choice.
December 31st, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Are my eyes playing silly tricks on me or is there a typo on poster #3 (in the voting section): “Becoming a Women, Becoming a Legend”? Hmm. Heaven forbide the marketing folks decide on this one, but if they DO, let’s hope they hire a good proofreader before releasing it the public.
Out of the four, I would choose the horizontal #4, with the JA quote.
December 31st, 2006 at 6:12 pm
Apologies, that should be “Heaven forbid”
January 5th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Sorry Janeites, but I picked the first one, because I thought that it had overall appeal and suggested that the movie was a romance, therefore attracting a larger audience. I did really like the last one, and was about to pick it. But, from a marketing standpoint, the first choice was better.