Keri Russell
JJ Feild
Bret McKenzie
Jennifer Coolidge
James Callis
Jane Seymour

Jerusha Hess
Shannon Hale

97 mins.
Comedy, Romance
August 16, 2013

Rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and innuendo. (MPAA)

“Austenland” is about a woman named Jane (played by Keri Russell) who’s in her 30s and is addicted to Jane Austen novels. She goes on a trip to Austenland, a vacation spot that gives each guest a Jane Austen experience, including a male suitor played by an actor and a ball (i.e. a formal dance party). Essentially, she wants to find what’s missing in her life.

When she arrives at the vacation spot, she’s not treated well by the proprietress, because she paid only for the basic package. The rest of the guests (two other ladies, one of whom is played by Jennifer Coolidge) paid for the platinum package and are treated accordingly.

Of course, Jane attracts two men, seemingly for real; one takes care of the grounds, animals, and transportation, while the other is one of the actors. By the end, we discover the truth of these relationships. Also, there’s a man who plays the fop and another man who arrives to seduce the ladies as part of the experience. Of course, his arrival complicates things.

This film starts very poorly (many won’t make it past the first 20 minutes or so, it’s that bad), but it improves somewhat toward the end. It doesn’t improve quickly enough, though.

Furthermore, “Austenland” attempts to be funny, instead of actually being funny. It resembles a blend of “Mean Girls” and “Pride and Prejudice,” without much of the humor or the romance. There’s not a lot left when you take those two things away. Actually, what’s left is this film.

Coolidge is over-the-top here, as always, but the material doesn’t support her efforts. Georgia King (from “The New Normal,” which was cancelled by NBC), who plays the other lady, is similarly over-the-top. The rest of the cast is fine, but (again) the material doesn’t do them any favors. Things just happen, because that’s what the writers want; and the backstory needs a lot more development for us to care about Jane.

The timing’s off in many, but not all, of the scenes; this is simply a mess of a film. Did the writers actually read any Jane Austen novels, especially “Pride and Prejudice”? Forget that: Have they ever seen a film based on one of Austen’s novels?

I decided to watch this for Keri Russell, but I wasted my time. Even she, with all her charms, couldn’t save this.

Verdict: Bad to OK

About: (Source: austenland)

Experience the everyday magic of Jane Austen’s world in this one-of-a-kind Regency resort. Visit the quaint acreage of Mansfield Theme Park, get into an Empire waist state of mind, and partake in exquisitely historical activities, from Calligraphic Letter-Writing to Meeting the Landed Gentleman Of Your Dreams.