I watched two additional films created for Hallmark’s Loveuary, inspired by Jane Austen. For the first review of Love and Jane visit our previous post.
The second film I watched was Paging Mr. Darcy. The plot is a Jane Austen scholar hungry for an opening at Princeton is a keynote speaker at a Jane Austen League of America conference. She is assigned a handler, the Mr. Darcy impersonator, for the duration and they find themselves helping to keep the conference afloat while also learning more about each other.
There were some nice JA quotes, and fun details (like the two MCs have to make syllabub, or there is some tension during Pall Mall), as well as good build up to the romance. I think JA fans will genuinely enjoy many aspects of this movie, with its many nods to the Regency. There is a little angst between the MC and her sister, who appears as a nice foil, but all ends in a HEA all around.
It was obvious the writer has some love and history with Jane Austen, so this lovely tribute is not earth shattering but it was enjoyable for the 1 hour, 24 minute run time.
I enjoyed this movie and would consider rewatching.
The next Loveuary film I watched was An American in Austen.
A library on the verge of engagement (and who is a big P & P fan) makes a wish on a star for her own Mr. Darcy, only to be transported into Hertfordshire on the road to the Bennet household. She is recognised as their American cousin, and quickly folded into the Pride and Prejudice narrative. As she keeps upsetting the plot, she must scramble to rectify things so she can get back to her own time.
I am not really a Jane Fan Fiction fan, so I was trepidatious about this one. However, the funny writing and self-referential moments made me laugh and relax into this fantasy about how a modern American woman might actually be if finding herself in the thick of P & P. The costumes and set design really exceeded my expectations for a Hallmark movie, and the attention to detail was nice. Of the three movies I have watched to date, this had the most Regency immersion, and I think will generally be appreciated by Regency lovers.
I would definitely rewatch, as this had enough funny moments, beautiful costumes and scenery, and unique engagement with P&P to keep me entertained.
