The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)

Light drama adapted from the novel by Karen Joy Fowler. A group of women (and one man) congregate monthly to discuss the novels of Jane Austen. They find the minutiae of relationships detailed in those books mirror their own love lives. 

The writing seems clever on one level – the intertextuality of plots – but the characters are mainly annoying. Especially unbearable is Kathy Baker as Bernadette, who knits a lot and looks smug, but isn’t given a plot thread of her own. 

Emily Blunt is probably the best of those in the ensemble cast, but even she is only given trite dialogue.

Emma (1996)

Disappointing version of the Jane Austen novel starring Gwyneth Paltrow as the meddling girl who manipulates the affairs of those around her. The incidental music is intrusive, and dialogue that sparkles on the page somehow fails to come alive. At times there is a tired Sunday-evening-TV-drama feel to it. I’m still not sure if Ewan McGregor can act. There are flashes of wit, but not enough of them – baffling given the richness of the source material. It improves as Emma undergoes her character development, but Clueless, which adapts and updates the same story, is a far more entertaining and successful tribute to Austen’s talent.

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Superb historical drama adapted by Ang Lee from Jane Austen’s classic 1811 novel.

Sisters Elinor and Marianne are played wonderfully by Emma Thompson and a young Kate Winslet. Hugh Grant, Greg Wise and Alan Rickman portray the men they fall in love with. As these relationships play out, in London and Devonshire, the story examines whether we should marry for love or for status.

It's hugely involving, with moments of wit and tenderness. Hugh Grant is incredibly charming as the shy and well-meaning Edward Ferrars. Alan Rickman, for once, doesn't seem typecast or obvious. He brings real subtlety to the role of Colonel Brandon. 

As well as the main leads, there are excellent performances by Imogen Stubbs, Gemma Jones, Hugh Laurie and Robert Hardy.

One of the greatest costumers.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

Romantic comedy directed by Sharon Maguire and starring Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. It’s co-written by Richard Curtis and adapted from the popular 1996 novel by Helen Fielding. It’s also a sort of reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. 

It’s funny in places, although Hugh Grant is given all the best lines. Colin Firth seems less well catered for in terms of the script, with the unfortunate result that you aren’t rooting for him when the plot suggests that you should be. Zellweger has a bumbling charm, and is perfect as the heroine everyone can relate to, even if her English accent doesn’t sound quite right. 

Some of the references wouldn’t have made it to a modern-day film, which makes it all the more interesting now. 

Gemma Jones is absolutely awful as Bridget’s mother – a misconceived role, badly handled. Jim Broadbent is marginally better as her father, but he’s not given a great deal to go on.

Clueless (1995)

Alicia Silverstone is wonderful in this Beverly Hills teen comedy, written and directed by Amy Heckerling and partly based on Jane Austen’s Emma. 

Particularly good is the linguistic invention of the script. Cher uses phrases such as “shame spiral” and “complaint rock” (Radiohead, etc), some of which entered into general use as a result of the film.

Persuasion (2007)

Excellent television adaptation of the 1817 novel by Jane Austen. Directed by Adrian Shergold, it transcends the usual limitations of TV drama.

There’s something very fresh and even raw about it – both visually and emotionally – and this makes it feel much more real. 

Sally Hawkins is superb as Anne Elliot, conveying a huge range of emotions with her face alone. Rupert Penry-Jones is fine as Captain Wentworth, but less impressive overall.

It's nice to see the familiar Bath city locations as well as a very cold-looking Lyme Regis.