KSL Movie Show review: ‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ feels like a cool, summer breeze
May 30, 2025, 5:30 PM | Updated: 5:38 pm
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If you’re looking for a throwback romantic comedy with an arthouse vibe and a wit to match, you’ve found it. And here’s the funny part: I didn’t know I was missing a film like this until I sat back and let it pour over me like a cool, summer breeze.
In this frenetic world of “hurry up, shut up, and stand up,” you actually have to force yourself to slow down, take deep, full breaths, and go with the flow of this story. If you can’t do that or don’t want to, do yourself a favor and choose another movie, ‘cause this one ain’t for you.
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Agathe Robinson (Camille Rutherford) is a lanky, unassuming bookseller in the famous independent bookshop Shakespeare & Company, located on the banks of the Seine, opposite Notre Dame in Paris. She and her co-worker Felix (Pablo Pauly) are best of friends, but have never attempted to leave the friendship zone because this felt natural and right… until one surprising day.
Agathe also considers herself a potential writer, but believes she suffers from imposter syndrome. No, she’ll say, she’s a real imposter! In an effort to get her out of her rut, Felix submits her writings for a Jane Austen Residency in London, and she’s accepted. It includes a two-week stay on the family estate, where a handful of writers can wander around the grounds in search of inspiration for their own particular novels. At the conclusion, there’s a traditional Ball and the guests are asked to share some of their latest efforts.
Agathe is massively reluctant, but eventually agrees to go, and is greeted off the ferry by a great, great, great nephew, Oliver (Charlie Anson), who is a sad English Lit professor who’s not a fan of his famous aunt’s work. They both have this awkward way about them, but they’ll be stuck in the same house together for two weeks, so might as well make the best of it.
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I would describe Agathe as a filtered, French version of Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Oddly self-assured about some things, socially confused in other areas, but fun to observe. In fact, the whole house is filled with unique characters that add an amusing air to the event.
Again, I will emphasize that this story is set on a low simmer, but the conversations about the nature of literature are very expressive and enlightening. I especially appreciated one idea that writing is like ivy, in that it requires some ruins in which to flourish—suggesting “look for your ruins.”
Jane Austen did a number of great things in her day; wrecking this movie or Agathe’s life certainly weren’t among them. She proved that subtle gestures and bold sincerities can still create excellent storytelling. This modern-day jaunt is no exception.
JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE (B) Rated R for language, some sexual content and nudity. Starring Camille Rutherford, Pablo Pauly, Charlie Anson, Liz Crowther and Alan Fairbairn. Written and directed by Laura Piani in her directorial debut. Filmed in France. In English and French. Running time: 98 minutes.
The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.
