Becoming Jane

Becoming Jane: Anne Hathaway

Becoming Jane

Cast: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, Elaine Murphy, Russell Smith, Philip Culhane, Jessica Ashworth, Eleanor Methven

The year is 1795 and young Jane Austen is a feisty 20-year-old and emerging writer who already sees a world beyond class and commerce, beyond pride and prejudice, and dreams of doing what was then nearly unthinkable - marrying for love. Naturally, her parents are searching for a wealthy, well-appointed husband to assure their daughter's future social standing. They are eyeing Mr. Wisley, nephew to the very formidable, not to mention very rich, local aristocrat Lady Gresham, as a prospective match. But when Jane meets the roguish and decidedly non-aristocratic Tom Lefroy, sparks soon fly along with the sharp repartee. His intellect and arrogance raise her ire - then knock her head over heels. Now, the couple, whose flirtation flies in the face of the sense and sensibility of the age, is faced with a terrible dilemma. If they attempt to marry, they will risk everything that matters - family, friends and fortune.

Sister My Sister

Sister My Sister

Sister My Sister

Cast: Julie Walters, Joely Richardson, Jodhi May, Sophie Thursfield, Amelda Brown

Christine (Joely Richardson) and Lea (Jodhi May) are sisters who were separated at a young age. Through Christine's clever machinations, they have been reunited by working as maids for a very proper lady and her bored and restless daughter. When the already passionate bond between the sisters becomes sexual, it sets up a series of events that lead to tragedy. Set in 1932 France, this film is supposedly based on a true story. Viewers looking for a sort of Playboy meets Merchant-Ivory romp will have to look elsewhere--the sex here is very discreet. Instead what we get is a nifty little piece of suspense and psychological horror that features taut direction, a smart script, spotless production values, and a topnotch cast. Julie Walters is marvelously funny--and scary--as the lady of the house who "sees everything" (but actually can't see beyond the tip of her nose), and Joely Richardson is heartbreaking as a seemingly self-reliant woman who is terrified of having her sister taken away again.