They went there
We have become so accustomed now to the idea of the film Becoming Jane, which used to incite us to a state of boiling righteous rage, that we have slipped into a kind of dozy state, rather like Lady Bertram after a hearty dinner.
“The film will bring attention to Jane and her work!” we are told.
“Yes, that’s certainly true,” we reply, covering a ladylike yawn with a languid white hand.
“It will appeal to Young Persons, who will then go on to read her novels!”
“Oh, yes, certainly.” We stretch surreptitiously.
“It’s not dreadful, really; perhaps a bit romantic, but nothing out of the way.”
(Pug licks our nose as we snore softly.)
We admit we were encouraged by some recent articles that indicated the Powers That Be were not trying quite so hard to sell the idea that the story of the film was true.
See what happens when one lets one’s guard down for one little minute?
Miramax has revealed the poster for the U.S. release of Becoming Jane. Check out the log line:
“Their Love Story Was Her Greatest Inspiration”
So now we’re back to “Jane Austen’s genius only needed a man to make it flower?”
We really shall retire to Bedlam.
(And is she holding a fountain pen?)
ETA: Cinema Blend thinks the poster looks awfully familiar. Many AustenBlog readers noticed the UK poster’s similarity to another film’s poster.
June 22nd, 2007 at 4:29 pm
The line at the bottom is a bit off as well.
But it should be remembered that the people who actually made the movie typically have very little to do with how it is marketed.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:49 pm
That does look like a fountain pen. Though it doesn’t look anything like Anne Hathaway.
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:08 pm
She is letting her skirts drag in the water!!
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:33 pm
It’s her free spirit, Chantel.
I’m in a silly mood, so here’s a follow-up poster. Enjoy. LOL.
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:03 am
Mmm. No surprise there. What are we going to do with a female writer. I know! Give her a frustrated romance! That explains her genius! Right?
Hmph.
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:02 am
I think this new poster looks beautiful, better than the P&P05-copy one.
I agree, though, that the taglines are horrible, though…
Loved the line you put on it, LauraGrace!
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:33 am
That poster is simply horrible!
Hathaway’s Jane seem to think: I’m so lucky and intelligent! and what a man I have! a free spirited woman as you say….
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 pm
LauraGrace,
LOL is right! Love your improved rendition. Amazing what a little Photoshopping can do for a movie poster ;P
June 24th, 2007 at 5:51 am
It does look like a fountain pen!
June 26th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
The ad on television made me shriek obscenities, I’m afraid. The depiction of her mother is wrong. The depiction of Tom Lefroy is wrong (and he doesn’t even have an Irish accent, as best I could tell from what I saw). And the fact that they are presenting it as if it were “true” makes me want to retch. Then again, I’ve been reading nothing but biographies and letters and actual scholarly papers on Jane for the past 6 months, so what do I know?