I just caught Jane Austen Wrecked My Life at SIFF last night, and it’s a delightful fusion of literary nostalgia and modern charm. Directed by Laura Piani (in her feature debut), the film follows Agathe, a clumsy but endearing Parisian bookseller plagued by writer’s block and longing for an Austen-style romance.
When her best friend Félix secretly sends her to a Jane Austen writers’ residency in the English countryside, she meets the brooding Oliver, a descendant of Austen herself. Their initial misunderstandings transform into a slow-burn connection—complete with a modern ball scene and subtle, thoughtful humor.
What sets this rom-com apart is its genuine emotional arc. Beyond the cute meets and cozy countryside, it’s about Agathe confronting past griefs and stepping into her own story. Camille Rutherford shines with authentic vulnerability, while the film’s elegant visuals and score evoke that sweet literary escapism.
If you miss the warmth of nineties rom-coms with a fresh twist, this one’s made for you.
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