Creative quotient
The Jane Austen Book Club is a film that is based on the works of the popular author. Its story revolves around a book club founded by women with different problems in life to discuss six Austen books. The members of the club try to use the book club to bond with and comfort each other.
Sylvia (Amy Brenneman) is given a jolt when her husband Daniel (Jimmy Smits) tells her that he is seeing another woman and wants a divorce. The heartbroken Sylvia is consoled by her daughter Allegra (Maggie Grace) who moves in with her. Jocelyn (Maria Bello), Sylvia’s close friend, decides to create the book club so that her jilted pal would heal with the help of friends and conversations. A six-time divorcée, Bernadette (Kathy Baker), an uptight young French teacher, Prudie (Emily Blunt) and Allegra herself join the club. Jocelyn invites Grigg (Hugh Dancy), an attractive young man she met at a hotel bar, to join them. Grigg has an eye for Jocelyn and although he’s not thrilled about Austen books he tags along as would do anything to be with her.
The discussions at the club resume but at most times the subject hovers around the problems of the club members. Their troubles include death, near-infidelity, crashes, crazy mothers and more.

Technical expertise
The highlight of this film is the way it integrates Jane Austen’s works into the lives of contemporary women. Each of the six members of the club, in some way or the other, sees their own perils and hurdles running parallel to the books they discuss. The Jane Austen Book Club also focusses on the way friends and relationships can make humans feel better.
It has a good ensemble cast and almost everyone does an excellent job. Kathy Baker and Emily Blunt give stand-out performances in their confused and complex characters.
The film is well-directed and it adapts to the classic Austen appeal almost as good as the original works. This film is charming, warm and moving all at the same time. It is definitely the film to celebrate womanhood and appreciate the timeless appeal of Jane Austen’s literary work.

Verdict
The movie is worth a watch and is deserving of three stars. The first star for its ensemble cast of actors who perform clinically. The second star is for its more-than-good direction and scripting and the third star for its magnificent integration of Austen’s 18th- and 19th-century sensibilities into our contemporary world.