Jane Austen has touched multiple generations of women; that’s an undeniable fact. From searching for their ideal Mr. Darcy to avoiding the Wickhams and Mr. Collinses of the world, her stories have influenced as many burgeoning writers as it has romantics. But what happens if you spend too much of your time waiting for the ideal Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley? What happens if you’re so busy romanticizing the balls and the courting of yesteryear that you forget about the realities of the dating world today? Jane Austen Wrecked My Life tells the story of a woman who is not just a fan of the author but has been so captivated by the allure of an Austenian romance that it has left her with expectations that are impossible to meet. Director and writer Laura Piani paints a vivid film with a lush palette, but, ultimately, the story of her protagonist’s life is the most lackluster part of the movie, relying on typical tropes rather than reinventing the romance genre as Austen so often did.
‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ Is More of a Cautionary Tale Than an Inspiring One

Image via Paname Distribution

Agathe Robinson (Camille Rutherford) is a woman in her 30s living in Paris. She lives a quiet life. She works at the renowned bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, a picturesque little shop a stone’s throw from Notre Dame and jam-packed with literature of all sorts. She works alongside Félix (Pablo Pauly), her flirtatious co-worker who also doubles as one of her closest friends. When she’s not at Shakespeare and Company, she lives with her sister and her nephew. As a lover of Jane Austen, Agathe has aspirations of becoming a writer herself, but struggles with self-confidence. She writes in her free time, loving romance stories, and sometimes shares them with Félix for his feedback.
On top of that, her love life is a mess. She hasn’t had sex in two years and dislikes the use of dating apps or the idea of one-night stands. Feeling like she’s been born in the wrong era, the only relationship that feels like it might have potential is her connection with Félix. However, she is soon accepted into a writing residency program in England, and it completely upends her life. Brought to a tranquil country house to work, she meets Oliver (Charlie Anson), a dashing and brooding Englishman who happens to be a descendant of Jane Austen. Of course, he also seemingly dislikes Jane Austen’s work and prefers contemporary literature. Of course, he can’t seem to escape Austen as he is a descendant of the writer.
Agathe and Oliver have an instant, contentious relationship with each other, but their charged chemistry is undeniable. What follows is typical rom-com fare; they slowly grow closer, and Agathe is soon forced to choose between Félix, the long-time friend who seems the safe bet, or Oliver, the new man she feels a sudden spark with.
Camille Rutherford Is Undoubtedly the Star Performance of ‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’

At the center of the story, Camille Rutherford commands the screen as Agathe. She’s quiet and contemplative, soft-spoken but opinionated at the same time. She fiercely defends the literature that she loves, even in the face of those like Oliver who openly reveal their distaste for authors like Austen. Rutherford is a joy to watch on screen as she embraces all of Agathe’s little quirks and anxieties without bluster or pretense and has amazing chemistry with both of her male co-stars.

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What makes Rutherford’s Agathe stand out from the typical rom-com lead is that she is clearly aware of her hold-ups. She’s aware that she’s let her life pass her by and that the books she loves so much have given her an unrealistic expectation of men and the world around her. She isn’t delusional; she isn’t waiting for Darcy, expecting him to come to her on a white horse. She is aware that the books she’s read have shaped her opinion of men, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. While she is a romantic, she’s not an impractical one. This mature outlook feels far more grounded than the typical rom-com lead who is in love with love, as those characters often get turned into caricatures that neither feel realistic nor relatable.
Laura Piani Paints a Beautiful and Sumptuous World

Laura Piani and cinematographer Pierre Mazoyer offer a rich and sumptuous feast for the eyes with Jane Austen Wrecked My Life. From the isolated looks at Agathe’s life that show us just how lonely she is, to the quiet little close moments between her and Félix that demonstrate their comfort around each other, we are given a full picture without any dialogue. Within a few minutes, we understand exactly what kind of life Agathe lives.
On top of that, the score mixed with the darkly colorful palette makes some scenes even reminiscent of Wong Kar-Wai’s films, evocative and full of emotion. The film is undoubtedly a bit slower than your typical rom-com, but each scene is so rich, it’s hard not to get sucked into the environment around Agathe and simply enjoy it. Piani invites us to look intimately through Agathe’s eyes, and as a result, we develop a natural empathy for her. Piani’s vision of the quiet streets of Paris and the close quarters of Shakespeare and Company feel plucked right out of an aesthetic vision board. The same goes for the country house in England, which feels both untouchably picturesque and cozy and lived-in.
‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ Gives an Underwhelming and Lackluster Ending

Image via Paname Distribution

However, despite beautiful shots and strong performances in the film, what ultimately comes up lacking is the story. The fact is that Jane Austen Wrecked My Life offers nothing new when it comes to romantic comedies. The story feels typical, without many surprises or twists, and never breaks from convention. It picks the path of least resistance and gives us the picture-book ending. For a film with such a nuanced look at its protagonist, the ending feels like it does a disservice to her character.
Similarly, the story does not feel fully fleshed out. Ideas are thrown in, such as a traumatic past that Agathe has or side character storylines, but they are either abandoned or forgotten about. It often feels like there are too many ideas being thrown at a wall, and whatever sticks is what will work. The story is what weighs the film down, specifically toward the last half of the film. The first half, especially when Agathe is in France, feels the strongest. Her complicated relationship with her sister and her friendship with Félix have the most potential for a unique perspective, but by the time she gets to England, the script becomes formulaic.
I had to wonder, finishing Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, if the title was even apt. At the end, Jane Austen did not wreck Agathe’s life. She gets the perfect ending that any romance novel reader would love; however, in doing that, it robs the film of the impact it might have made if it took a riskier path and decided to break from convention rather than conform to it.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life releases to limited theaters on May 23 and wide theaters on May 30.

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

While the film is visually stunning, the stereotypical story ultimately makes it blend into the background.

Release Date

January 22, 2025

Runtime

98 minutes

Director

Laura Piani

Writers

Laura Piani

Camille Rutherford

Agathe

Pros & Cons

Strong performance specifically from Camille Rutherford as the lead.
Beautiful cinematography and lush landscapes that set the tone for the film.

The stereotypical love story lacks any uniqueness or flare.
The side characters aren’t fully fleshed out and feel unnecessary.

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