Our heroine, Agathe Robinson works in the famous Paris bookstore, Shakespeare and Co. Played by Camile Rutherford, she presents as a sympathetic heroine still grieving over the loss of her parents. Aided by her long-time bestie, ably played by Pablo Pauly (Felix), he sends some of her writing off to a Jane Austen Residency, ergo, the film’s moniker. Agathe is offered a place, which, after some angsty-shilly-shallying she decides to accept. The plot thickens when she says goodbye to bestie, Alex, and they share an unexpected kiss.
Directed by Laura Piani, the cinematography and pace are pleasant and easy on the eye. If you’re bookish you will also enjoy the many literary allusions. Enter, one Oliver (Charlie Anson, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), a British, thrice removed descendant of Jane Austen who turns up as ‘the complication’.
Charlie collects Agathe, surprised to meet a young woman and not the anticipated old maid. From here on in, the romantic cliches are piled on with a trowel. She vomits on his shoes, the car breaks down, naked, she mistakes his adjoining door for the bathroom…need we go on?  What’s really missing is witty repartee and there was more actual chemistry between the teacup and the doorknob than this duo. Dangerous turf if you’re referencing Bennet v Darcy.
Although set in the modern day, Agathe yearns for the simplicity of the past, where dating apps and ‘Uber sex’ didn’t exist. However, many details don’t gel, for example, modern publishers don’t accept hard copies, they use emails. Agathe NOT only uses snail mail, she gets an actual response. In what writer’s world? Agathe is also a glutton, food-wise, but remains the thinner side of skinny. A ballroom scene is weirdly invaded by Asian dancers…
Oliver, may be dying of love but refrains from mentioning it. His performance is more frown than darkly-brooding lover. Alas! he lacks that je ne sais quoi and glint-in-the-eye, essential for any self-respecting, bodice-heaving, swooning heroine. (There will be no references to Colin Firth in this review.)
Bestie Felix turns up and we have the predictable love triangle. Agathe has to choose between the loyal friend, OR Oliver, whom she’s known for two weeks with whom she feels a ‘spark’. (Eye roll.)  The more screen time you spend with our heroine, the less charming she becomes. Ditto, the supporting cast, Todd, with Alzheimer’s who regularly forgets his trousers (mildly funny the first time), and a simpering mother-figure, Beth. (Alan Fairbairn and Liz Crowther, respectively.) Wherefore art thou Lady Catherine de Bourgh? Worth mentioning the cameo by the poet, Frederick Wiseman.
If you’ve an hour to whittle away, the film is pleasant enough. Oh! How the plot strives! But it just can’t make the grande jête that a remarkable rom-com requires. Was it the writing? The casting? The direction? All three?
My rating: A bit like a walk to Meryton in the wrong shoes – dull and expect blisters.
                      Two and half bonnets out of five!