• Latest
  • Trending
Love & Jane Review

Love & Jane Review: Austen Overdose Dooms Clever Premise

JDM Japanese Drift Master Review

JDM: Japanese Drift Master Review – When Mechanics Meet Manga

M3GAN 2.0 Review

M3GAN 2.0 Review: When Silicon Valley Nightmares Meet Summer Blockbuster Ambitions

Trainwreck Poop Cruise Season 1 Review 1

Trainwreck: Poop Cruise Season 1 Review: Sensationalism on the High Seas

Head Over Heels Season 1 Review

Head Over Heels Season 1 Review: The Shaman and the Cursed Boy

Blood Bar Tycoon Review

Blood Bar Tycoon Review: A Bloody Good Idea, Poorly Executed

Pushers Review

Pushers Review: Weaponizing Invisibility for Laughs

Grenfell: Uncovered Review

Grenfell: Uncovered Review: The Human Cost of Calculated Neglect

Ironheart Review

Ironheart Review: Science vs. Magic in Marvel’s Moral Labyrinth

28 Years Later 1

Young Fathers Rewrite the Apocalypse With 28 Years Later Score

15 hours ago
Hitmakers Netflix

Netflix Tunes Up July Line-up With Songwriter Show ‘Hitmakers’

15 hours ago
Doctor Who

BBC Faces Backlash Over Early Doctor Who Drops

15 hours ago
The Pavilion

Sarajevo Picks Mustafić’s Rebel Comedy ‘The Pavilion’ for Opening Night

16 hours ago
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Thursday, June 26, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    28 Years Later 1

    Young Fathers Rewrite the Apocalypse With 28 Years Later Score

    Hitmakers Netflix

    Netflix Tunes Up July Line-up With Songwriter Show ‘Hitmakers’

    Doctor Who

    BBC Faces Backlash Over Early Doctor Who Drops

    The Pavilion

    Sarajevo Picks Mustafić’s Rebel Comedy ‘The Pavilion’ for Opening Night

    Thomas H. Brodek

    Producer Tom Brodek, Master of Stephen King Miniseries, Dies at 86

    BET Paramount

    BET Joins Paramount Layoff Wave as Cable Declines Deepen

    Roofman

    Channing Tatum Drills Into Oscar Season With Cianfrance’s ‘Roofman’

    Mindhunter

    David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

    How to Train Your Dragon

    ‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    M3GAN 2.0 Review

    M3GAN 2.0 Review: When Silicon Valley Nightmares Meet Summer Blockbuster Ambitions

    Trainwreck Poop Cruise Season 1 Review 1

    Trainwreck: Poop Cruise Season 1 Review: Sensationalism on the High Seas

    Head Over Heels Season 1 Review

    Head Over Heels Season 1 Review: The Shaman and the Cursed Boy

    Pushers Review

    Pushers Review: Weaponizing Invisibility for Laughs

    Grenfell: Uncovered Review

    Grenfell: Uncovered Review: The Human Cost of Calculated Neglect

    Ironheart Review

    Ironheart Review: Science vs. Magic in Marvel’s Moral Labyrinth

    Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project Review

    Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project Review: When Satire Suddenly Turns Sinister

    Semi-Soeter Review

    Semi-Soeter Review: Comedy in a Corporate Cradle

    KPop Demon Hunters Review

    KPop Demon Hunters Review: The Theology of the Bop

  • Game Reviews
    JDM Japanese Drift Master Review

    JDM: Japanese Drift Master Review – When Mechanics Meet Manga

    Blood Bar Tycoon Review

    Blood Bar Tycoon Review: A Bloody Good Idea, Poorly Executed

    Ghost Frequency Review

    Ghost Frequency Review: All Atmosphere, No Conclusion

    Death Stranding 2 On the Beach Review 1

    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review – Kojima’s Outback Odyssey

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review – Revisiting a Sunken Legacy

    TRON: Catalyst Review

    TRON: Catalyst Review: More Style Than Substance

    FBC: Firebreak Review

    FBC: Firebreak Review: Corporate Chaos and Cooperative Action

    Date Everything Review 1

    Date Everything! Review: You’ll Never Look at Your Toaster the Same Way

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    28 Years Later 1

    Young Fathers Rewrite the Apocalypse With 28 Years Later Score

    Hitmakers Netflix

    Netflix Tunes Up July Line-up With Songwriter Show ‘Hitmakers’

    Doctor Who

    BBC Faces Backlash Over Early Doctor Who Drops

    The Pavilion

    Sarajevo Picks Mustafić’s Rebel Comedy ‘The Pavilion’ for Opening Night

    Thomas H. Brodek

    Producer Tom Brodek, Master of Stephen King Miniseries, Dies at 86

    BET Paramount

    BET Joins Paramount Layoff Wave as Cable Declines Deepen

    Roofman

    Channing Tatum Drills Into Oscar Season With Cianfrance’s ‘Roofman’

    Mindhunter

    David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

    How to Train Your Dragon

    ‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    M3GAN 2.0 Review

    M3GAN 2.0 Review: When Silicon Valley Nightmares Meet Summer Blockbuster Ambitions

    Trainwreck Poop Cruise Season 1 Review 1

    Trainwreck: Poop Cruise Season 1 Review: Sensationalism on the High Seas

    Head Over Heels Season 1 Review

    Head Over Heels Season 1 Review: The Shaman and the Cursed Boy

    Pushers Review

    Pushers Review: Weaponizing Invisibility for Laughs

    Grenfell: Uncovered Review

    Grenfell: Uncovered Review: The Human Cost of Calculated Neglect

    Ironheart Review

    Ironheart Review: Science vs. Magic in Marvel’s Moral Labyrinth

    Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project Review

    Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project Review: When Satire Suddenly Turns Sinister

    Semi-Soeter Review

    Semi-Soeter Review: Comedy in a Corporate Cradle

    KPop Demon Hunters Review

    KPop Demon Hunters Review: The Theology of the Bop

  • Game Reviews
    JDM Japanese Drift Master Review

    JDM: Japanese Drift Master Review – When Mechanics Meet Manga

    Blood Bar Tycoon Review

    Blood Bar Tycoon Review: A Bloody Good Idea, Poorly Executed

    Ghost Frequency Review

    Ghost Frequency Review: All Atmosphere, No Conclusion

    Death Stranding 2 On the Beach Review 1

    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review – Kojima’s Outback Odyssey

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review – Revisiting a Sunken Legacy

    TRON: Catalyst Review

    TRON: Catalyst Review: More Style Than Substance

    FBC: Firebreak Review

    FBC: Firebreak Review: Corporate Chaos and Cooperative Action

    Date Everything Review 1

    Date Everything! Review: You’ll Never Look at Your Toaster the Same Way

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
Love & Jane Review

Airhead Review: The Quirky Metroidvania That Will Turn Your Head

Players Review: When Friends With Benefits Isn't Enough

Home Entertainment Movies

Love & Jane Review: Austen Overdose Dooms Clever Premise

Too Much Fanciful Style, Not Enough Grounded Substance

Naser Nahandian by Naser Nahandian
1 year ago
in Entertainment, Movies, Reviews
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

Love & Jane brings Jane Austen to modern day Boston through a clever yet underwhelming supernatural premise. The film follows Lilly, a devoted Jane Austen fan who immerses herself in early 19th century literature to avoid the complications of modern life. But when new tech mogul Trevor threatens her beloved local bookshop, Lilly is visited by the ghost of Ms. Austen herself to guide her through the turmoil.

It’s an imaginative concept that romantic comedy fans may find appealing at first glance. Who wouldn’t want the celebrated author of their favorite love stories to play fairy godmother in their own search for romance? But the execution struggles to deliver. Lilly leans too heavily into an over-the-top Austen obsession that stretches believability, while the central romance lacks chemistry or substantive development. Moments of witty banter between Lilly and her spectral mentor shine through, but can’t sustain the whole picture.

Die-hard lovers of Hallmark fluff may find enough here to scratch that itch. But those seeking genuinely engaging storytelling even within the channel’s familiar formulas won’t feel fully satisfied. With a clever spark of an idea that never fully ignites, Love & Jane makes for an amiable yet entirely missable viewing experience.

When Jane Austen Gets Too Nosy

The core premise of Love & Jane has the makings of a delightful romantic fantasy. Our heroine Lilly leads a modern life, but dreams of the refinement and courtly manners of Jane Austen’s era. And like magic, the revered author herself appears from the past to mentor Lilly on life and love. It’s a clever concept that could inject fresh imagination into the well-wornHallmark formula. Who wouldn’t want the celebrated writer of their favorite love stories to play fairy godmother in their own romantic quest?

But the whimsy loses steam when Jane’s advice grows excessive. She pops up everywhere – Lilly’s home, office, the coffee shop – poking her nose into situations she doesn’t fully grasp, from Lilly’s writing aspirations to navigating today’s tech-dominated culture. The constant references to Austen’s works also wear thin quickly, as Lilly relies on an endless stream of Pride and Prejudice quotes rather than finding her own words. Jane’s presence becomes less a delightful wish fulfillment and more an overbearing distraction.

With restraint and nuance, this “Jane Austen as imaginary BFF” idea could have lifted an otherwise formulaic story. But in constantly going overboard through Lilly’s cartoonish obsession, the quirky fantasy curdles into insufferable excess. The magic fizzles fast, leaving us wishing this fairy godmother would give her goddaughter some space.

An Unlikable Heroine Even for Austen

Our protagonist Lilly seems crafted as a caricature rather than a believable heroine, making it difficult to root for her happiness. We first meet her ranting over a Pride and Prejudice book, as if that minor incident signals the collapse of civilized society. And it only gets more absurdly dramatic from there. Every modern convenience, from the internet to e-readers, sends Lilly into a tizzy about the good old days. Her obsession with Austen goes beyond quirky bibliophile into almost delusional territory.

Love & Jane Review

While devoted Austen fans in the audience may initially chuckle, Lilly’s excessive living-in-the-past persona grows tiresome quickly. Did women of Austen’s era really spend all day bemoaning progress while spouting Mr. Darcy quotes? Even Jane herself seems bewildered, questioning why Lilly refuses to engage with the real world in front of her.

Alison Sweeney tries her best with the material given, injecting warmth into what could have been an unlikeable caricature. But there’s only so much she can do. Lilly’s self-imposed bubble is so thick, we end up wishing Jane would stop indulging her student’s nonsense. Can’t she find a heroine with a ounce more sense and joy for life to mentor? By refusing to live even partially in reality, Lilly doesn’t give us much reason to care if she ever finds love or success. Even for a fairy tale, that’s a fatal flaw.

“Unravel the mysterious disappearances in 1950s Connecticut with our The Green Veil review. John Leguizamo stars as an FBI agent investigating strange phenomena, blending sci-fi intrigue with historical depth.”

The Magic Fizzles in Forced Whimsy

Love & Jane clearly aims to deliver a playful, whimsical love story perfect for hopeless romantics. But in forcing the fanciful tone too hard, it ends up feeling more silly than sweet. Lilly’s unrealistic obsession with Austen ignorance of modern life already strain credulity. Add in the underdeveloped central romance, and the whole fairy tale curdles into insufferable excess.

Love & Jane Review

Our supposed soulmates Lilly and Trevor share little meaningful interaction before we’re expected to invest in their happily ever after. Their meet-cute amounts to little more than a heated two-minute exchange over a book. While Benjamin Ayres brings an endearing warmth to Trevor, the script gives him and Alison Sweeney little room to establish authentic chemistry. We’re told through Lilly’s friends that the pair possesses some magical connection, but we witness no joyful banter or passionate tension to back up this claim.

Perhaps if the premise resisted slipping into caricature, we could better buy the fairytale love story being packaged. But with both the tone and characters existing in their own bubbles far removed from reality, neither the comedy nor romance land as intended. Suspension of disbelief only goes so far, even in a Hallmark fantasy. For this romantic fable to truly charm, a touch more grounding could have made all the difference.

The Hits and Misses of Playing with Austen

When Love & Jane clicks, it captures some of the clever and whimsical spirit it aims for. Lilly’s diverse little Austen book club brings quiet joy, portraying how the author’s wisdom resonates across everyday people. And the direct interactions between Lilly and Jane spark with playful wit, as two women from wildly different eras explore universal truths of self-discovery.

Love & Jane Review

But too often, the film mistakes obsessive regurgitation for insight. The non-stop Austen quotes grow stale fast, used more as a crutch whenever Lilly faces a complex emotion. And her contradictory stances on technology further undermine her character’s credibility. She relies on Siri-like devices while declaring all modern innovation the scourge of civilized society.

The movie never reconciles or pokes fun at these hypocrisies. Instead it plays Lilly’s severe disconnect from reality and everyone around her completely straight. Our heroine lives so deep in her own fantasy that she fails to register as someone to root for. And no quality of supporting players or production design can save a romance that hinges on such an off-putting lead.

With tighter writing and direction to rein in the flights of fancy, Love & Jane could have balanced its quirky charm with relatable humanity. But by allowing the heroine’s contradictions and delusions to pile up unchecked, this Austen admirer’s fantastical escape ends up collapsing under its own overindulgence.

Embark on a journey through grief and strange occurrences in our We’re All Gonna Die review. Directors Matthew Arnold and Freddie Wong present a sci-fi tale of an alien monolith and two souls finding solace in each other. Click here to read and discover this unique and thought-provoking film.

A Well-Meaning Misfire for Romance Lovers

Love & Jane aims to offer a comforting fable about losing and finding oneself in love. Its whimsical idea of Jane Austen acting as a literal fairy godmother could have injected fresh imagination into standard Hallmark fare. And glimmers of that magic spark at times, as in the witty rapport between Austen and heroine Lilly or the diversity of Austen devotees portrayed.

Love & Jane Review

But too often, the film’s whimsy slips into eyeroll-inducing excess that strains emotional investment. Our heroine Lean’s cartoonish disconnect from reality and refusal to evolve makes her an abrasive protagonist we struggle to root for. And the central romance lacks authentic chemistry or substantive interaction to bring the fairy tale to life.

Perhaps the most ardent fans of the channel’s formulaic comfort food may find enough familiar beats here to satisfy a rainy day craving. But those seeking genuinely smart, stirring storytelling within the Hallmark model have far better options to choose from.

With a clever kernel of fantasy that never fully blooms, Love & Jane remains a well-meaning misfire. For all Jane Austen’s wisdom, she can’t guide an unbalanced script and thinly sketched characters into a satisfying happily ever after. But here’s hoping Lilly finds her next mentor in the form of a sharper writer and director team.

The Review

Love & Jane

4 Score

Love & Jane has flashes of fantasy fun in its fairly fresh conceit, but can never ground itself in enough humanity or romance to fully captivate. This Austen admirer's dream plays too loosely with plausibility to live up its clever promise.

PROS

  • Clever concept of Jane Austen appearing to guide the protagonist
  • Strong performance from Kendra Anderson as Jane Austen
  • Some witty banter between Jane and the lead character
  • Diverse depiction of Austen book club fans

CONS

  • Lead character too unrealistic and obsessed with Austen
  • Over-reliance on endless Austen quotes grows stale
  • Central romance lacks chemistry or development
  • Story exists too much in whimsical fantasy

Review Breakdown

  • Overall 0
Tags: Aadila DosaniAlison SweeneyBenjamin AyresDavid WeaverFeaturedKendra AndersonLove & JaneRomanceWilliam Vaughan
Previous Post

Airhead Review: The Quirky Metroidvania That Will Turn Your Head

Next Post

Players Review: When Friends With Benefits Isn’t Enough

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Marshmallow Review

    Marshmallow Review: These Woods Hide Unexpected Secrets

    4 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boglands Review: Shadows and Whispers in the Irish Mist

    2 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mix Tape Review: A Story Told on Two Sides of a Cassette

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Smoke Review: The Year’s Most Unpredictable and Unsettling Show

    7 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 7 Biggest Station Wagons on the Market

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Patience Review: Challenging Stereotypes in Crime Drama

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

M3GAN 2.0 Review
Entertainment

M3GAN 2.0 Review: When Silicon Valley Nightmares Meet Summer Blockbuster Ambitions

7 hours ago
Grenfell: Uncovered Review
Movies

Grenfell: Uncovered Review: The Human Cost of Calculated Neglect

14 hours ago
Ironheart Review
Entertainment

Ironheart Review: Science vs. Magic in Marvel’s Moral Labyrinth

14 hours ago
Semi-Soeter Review
Movies

Semi-Soeter Review: Comedy in a Corporate Cradle

18 hours ago
KPop Demon Hunters Review
Movies

KPop Demon Hunters Review: The Theology of the Bop

19 hours ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

Go to mobile version