Watch Austenland

Austenland is a romantic comedy film directed by Jerusha Hess and based on the novel of the same name by Shannon Hale. The movie tells the story of Jane Hayes, a single thirty-something woman who is obsessed with the works of Jane Austen and constantly compares her love life to the romantic plots of Austen's novels. Frustrated with her unsuccessful relationships, Jane decides to spend her life savings and go to Austenland, a theme park in England where visitors can experience a full immersion in the Regency era, complete with costumes, etiquette lessons, and fake suitors. Jane hopes to find the perfect gentleman and live out her Austen fantasy.

Upon her arrival, Jane meets the eccentric owner of Austenland, Mrs. Wattlesbrook, who assigns her the role of a lowly servant girl due to her modest budget. Jane is disappointed but tries to make the best of her experience. She also meets her fellow guests, including the boisterous Miss Elizabeth Charming, who seems to be more interested in flirting with the male actors than finding true love, and the shy Mr. Henry Nobley, who plays the role of the brooding, yet attractive gentleman.

As the days go by, Jane finds herself drawn to Mr. Nobley, who seems to have a special connection to her. However, she also starts to question the authenticity of the park and the intentions of the staff, especially when she discovers that some of her fellow guests are actually paid actors hired to play specific roles.

Things get even more complicated when Jane's wealthy aunt arrives unexpectedly and tries to convince her to leave Austenland and marry the handsome Martin, a man with whom Jane had a brief encounter on the plane to England. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wattlesbrook pushes Jane to pursue Mr. Nobley, which leads to a series of misunderstandings and romantic mishaps.

The movie is full of humor and heart, and it offers a refreshing take on the classic romantic comedy genre. Keri Russell gives a charming performance as Jane, playing the character with a perfect blend of vulnerability, wit, and passion. JJ Feild is also excellent as Mr. Nobley, bringing to life the romantic hero archetype with a delightful mix of stoicism and charm.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Jennifer Coolidge stealing the show as Miss Elizabeth Charming, a hilarious caricature of a modern-day cougar. James Callis is another standout as Colonel Andrews, one of the actors who plays a pivotal role in the story.

One of the movie's strengths is its attention to detail and its ability to recreate the Regency era with authenticity and flair. The costumes, sets, and music are all beautifully crafted and add to the immersive experience of the theme park. The movie also cleverly uses Austen's novels as a backdrop for the story, referencing some of the famous quotes and plot points in a way that will delight fans of the author.

Overall, Austenland is a delightful romantic comedy with a strong cast, witty dialogue, and a charming premise. It offers a fun and heartfelt exploration of the power of fantasy and the joys and pitfalls of finding love in unexpected places. Whether you're a Jane Austen aficionado or just a fan of romantic comedies, this movie is definitely worth a watch.

Austenland is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 42.