This was a fun movie. As a huge Jane Austen fan, I just really enjoyed the premise - in a way it is a classic Jane Austen romance. Our heroine is basically a Jane Austen out of control fan, reality comes crashing down around her when she spends her life savings on a Jane Austen immersion vacation. Acting was great, and it was very funny. I can honestly say there were parts that had me truly laughing out loud (so hard, tears in my eyes!). This is a great, light romantic comedy also Jennifer Coolidge and James Callis are a riot.

Update: Movie vs Book.
Okay, I had not realized that this movie was based on a book. So I promptly read the book, it's a quick read and I have to say my review as written stands. Although the book was very nice, the basic story is the same and honestly, if they followed the book too closely, I think the movie would have been a little boring. Often, when you love a book, you are a little disappointed in the movie version, I believe mostly that has to do with the inability to fit in all the details a book can within 90 - 120 minutes. This movie was a great balance and I think a better story,

Not to be taken seriously under any circumstances.

For fans of Jane Austen books and movies based on them, this is a fun break with more heart than similar modern world-meets-Austen stories (like "Lost in Austen"). In this movie, a hardcore Jane Austen fan (also called "Jane") spends her savings on an immersive Austen vacation, where she plays a role in her own love story complete with English countryside mansion, regency costumes, and actors cast as archetypal Austen mancandy. But since this immersive experience is just as much about wish fulfillment as it is about accuracy, the Captain Wentworth stand-in is played by Ricky Whittle and will take off his shirt with very little provocation. I'm pretty sure none of Austen's heroes ever displayed their six-packs in the original books, but then again, I also don't remember the part in Pride and Prejudice where Darcy went for a swim then ran into Elizabeth while he was still soaking wet. In Austen's time, even seeing a gentleman in his shirt-sleeves would have been scandalous, and yet every Austen movie somehow manages to throw that scene in. Go figure.

Keri Russell is cute and nerdy, while JJ Fields looks great in period garb as ever. The soundtrack takes a leaf out of Sofia Coppola's book and pairs 80s tunes with candy-colored regency vignettes in a way that works oddly well. However, the show is absolutely stolen by Georgia King as Lady Amelia. She goes hilariously overboard with her english-rose character, poking loving fun at how ridiculous courtly manners would actually be to modern sensibilities.

When this came up in my recommendations, I was skeptical. But I was in the mood for something light to watch while I folded laundry and stuff, so I figured I'd give it a chance, thinking maybe it would surprise me and be wryly funny. Should have gone with my gut. This movie was just... bad. And that is the nicest possible adjective I can think of to describe this move. The writing was bad. The acting was bad. (With the exception of James Callis' wonderful comedic performance.) The character development was flat, there was no motivation for any of the action, the plot twists were not twisty. Although it shares the key plot points with a Pride and Prejudice, it wholly lacks the wit and empathetic characters. The main character, Jane, is no Elizabeth Bennet. Her character is annoying and dumb, and completely unbelievable. I honestly preferred to pay attention to my folded socks instead of what was going on on the screen- at least my socks didn't throw temper tantrums or demand that I not only suspend my disbelief, but shove it out the window entirely in order to accept such implausible characters and plot. If you are looking for a modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, I'd suggest Bridget Jones' Diary instead. If you would like an entertaining and illuminating show about modern people trying to live in an authentic period setting, watch the PBS reality series "Manor House" and "Regency House." If you want Jane Austen, watch a BBC adaptation... or just read the books. I wouldn't recommend Austenland.

This is one of those movies I save for when I really have had a lot of stress and feel that I've earned an "escape". It's hilarious - Keri Russell is perfect, as is J.J. Feild and Jennifer Coolidge. Jane Seymour must have had a ball (no pun intended) making this film. I'm sure they all did. I must admit that my first viewing of it I thought it was just too silly, but on the second viewing it grew on me to a surprising level. I had this same experience with Napoleon Dynamite, another "emergency escapist" film waiting in the wings after a week at my insane job.

I like this tale of a Austen fan girl getting to experience her dream of l becoming a Austen character for a vacation. I think that’s a lot of book lovers dream being able to experience their favorite novel in real life for a period of time. I didn’t see this movie until a few years after after it was out on DVD. I loved it so much that I would watch it on various streaming services at least once maybe twice a year since. Finally a couple months ago I bought the dvd because I still like owning physical movies, not buying online streaming. version and I figured I should own it because I love watching it so much. Sure they movie is a little cheesy at times, it’s a fun rom com to watch. I love watching jj fields from Northanger Abby, he always has the greatest facial expressions that he brings to his character. Jennifer Coolidge is always fun to watch.

If you would like to know the story of my life, well here it is in full color.

I would be Jane, get cheated into the cheap tour, and be dumb enough to believe it was real. Story of my life.

To be honest, I actually preferred Jane's room in the servants' quarters and her clothes. Those colors just suit me. I thought she was kind of getting the better of the deal and I'm not sure I would have loved the parts my package didn't pay for. At first I would have been disappointed but it soon became more like me.

It is a really funny, yet tender, movie and worth the price I paid for it on Prime. I needed cheering up and this did it. In the reviews, even a man loved it! And I was surprised that only Anonymous hated it, and everyone else gave it good reviews! Yay!

Please get out the popcorn and get ready for a colorful laugh. And thank goodness Colin Firth didn't show up.

My wife was super excited to see this when it came out in the theater and even though it was a limited showing we were able to see it.

From a guys perspective, my wife has made me sit through the "classics" like the BBC and A&E versions of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and others. Those bore me to tears. I was not really excited to see another Austen related movie, but went with her since she was SO excited. In fact after I got there I was the only male in the theater.

After watching the movie I quite enjoyed it; more so than I was expecting. There are some laugh out loud moments and though some of it was a bit silly, it was something that I appreciated. I was never bored by this movie and since I had never read the book I didn't know how it would end.

After seeing it, I knew I had to get it for my wife for Christmas which is just what I am going to do. I would recommend this movie even if you aren't a huge Austen fan, just make sure you are watching it with someone who is!

Austenland features the movie story of character Jane Hayes (played by Keri Russell) who is an intense fan of author Jane Austen. Jane Hayes eventually decides to take a chance with her interest via the opportunity of traveling to Austenland. During her trip Hayes also meets Elizabeth Charming (Jennifer Coolidge) who also has prolific interest relating to Jane Austen and visiting Austenland and they both become a part of their vacation journey. J.J Field, Bret Mckenzie, James Callis, Jane Seymour, Georgia King, Ricky Whittle, Rupert Vansittart, and Richard Reid are also among the actors/actresses who feature in Austenland also playing a role in some way pertaining to Jane Haye's lifechanging vacation.