Films for Breakfast

Jane Austen, one of the most influential authors of all time, has experienced a notable resurgence in recent years, particularly among younger generations rediscovering her works and falling in love with them all over again. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, however, isn’t quite the full-fledged love letter to Austen’s legacy—or even a parody of her works—that its title might suggest. Instead, it’s a film that explores how art shapes our lives, our perceptions of relationships, and the choices we make.

The film follows Agathe (Camille Rutherford), a reserved bookshop clerk in Paris with aspirations of becoming a writer. Agathe has always been captivated by how novels can shape one’s soul, especially that of Jane Austen. Though she may not openly admit it, Austen’s portrayals of love have deeply influenced her expectations for relationships in the real world. When Agathe is invited to a Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England, she finds herself caught in a romantic entanglement with two very different men, both of whom force her to confront her insecurities and challenge her desires.

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life has the feel of a quiet, reserved romantic comedy—almost the kind of film you could imagine a parent renting from Blockbuster in the early 2000s. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. In fact, I would argue that there’s a place for more films like this in today’s cinematic landscape. However, in this case, I can’t help but feel that the film misses too many opportunities to truly capitalize on its premise and characters to earn a more favorable review.

The performances are generally solid across the board. Camille Rutherford delivers a strong performance as Agathe, capturing both the character’s reserved nature as well as her desire to experience a life-changing love. However, the film falters in how it handles Agathe’s romantic subplots. Charlie Anson and Pablo Pauly, who play Agathe’s two romantic interests, deliver fine performances, but their characters lack any real depth or chemistry. The film frames them in such a dry, uninspiring manner that even the most basic of meet-cute scenes fall flat, coming across as more awkward than charming.

This surprising lack of energy isn’t just a symptom to the romantic storyline, but instead extends throughout much of the film, making even the simplest of comedic moments feel more like missed opportunities than dry wit. The film attempts sincerity in certain moments, but those moments often feel undercooked, leaving the attempted explorations of love, identity, and being an artist feeling largely incomplete. That said, there are brief moments where the film shines – particularly in scenes where Agathe grapples with her writer’s block. A monologue she delivers about the power of writing and the role of authors is genuinely moving, but such moments are too few and far between for the film to truly work emotionally.

Despite being marketed as an ode to Jane Austen and drawing heavily from the tropes that her novels inspired, the film never fully commits to that premise. While Austen’s works are frequently referenced, they serve more as a backdrop than a driving force behind the story. There are glimpses of what the film could have been, such as the characters attending a Jane Austen-themed ball reminiscent of Pride & Prejudice. Unfortunately, those moments are fleeting, and the film settles into a much safer, more predictable path.

There’s potential a disappointing amount of potential you can see within Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, but it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. The film is light, inoffensive, and offers a pleasant enough finale, but it struggles with pacing and clumsily handled romantic dynamics that make it hard to fully invest in the characters. For all the promise of its premise, the story and tone are disappointingly dry, with moments of humor and heart that are too few and far between. While some viewers may enjoy the gentle, low-stakes romance and the comforting familiarity of the Austen references, I found the film’s inability to find momentum or fully realize its potential ultimately disappointing. Still, if you’re looking for something soft and easy to watch, it might be just the thing.