Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (original French title: Jane Austen a gâché ma vie) is a 2024 French romantic comedy film written and directed by Laura Piani in her feature-length debut. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2024, and was released in France on January 22, 2025. It was later released in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics on May 23, 2025 .
🎬 Film Overview
- Title: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
- Original Title: Jane Austen a gâché ma vie
- Director & Screenwriter: Laura Piani
- Producers: Gabrielle Dumon
- Production Companies: Les Films du Veyrier, Sciapode
- Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics (USA), Paname Distribution (France)
- Runtime: 94 minutes
- Languages: French and English
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Rating: R (for some sexual content, nudity, and language)
🌍 Production Details
Filming took place entirely in France from October 17 to November 30, 2023. Notably, scenes were shot at the iconic Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris, where director Laura Piani had previously worked. The film was financed by Canal+, Cine+, Pictanovo, Région Île-de-France, and Sofica IndeFilms 12 .
🎵 Music & Technical Crew
- Music Composer: Peter von Poehl
- Cinematography: Pierre Mazoyer
- Editing: Floriane Allier
- Production Design: Agnès Séry
- Costume Design: Namiko Kobayashi, Flore Vauvillé
👩🎤 Cast
- Camille Rutherford as Agathe Robinson
- Pablo Pauly as Félix
- Charlie Anson as Oliver
- Annabelle Lengronne as Chéryl
- Liz Crowther as Beth
- Alan Fairbairn as Todd
- Lola Peploe as Olympia
📖 Plot Synopsis
Agathe Robinson, a romantically disillusioned and clumsy Parisian bookseller, dreams of experiencing love akin to a Jane Austen novel and aspires to become a successful writer. However, she is plagued by writer’s block and finds herself in a rut. Her best friend, Félix, secretly submits her work to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England. Upon acceptance, Agathe embarks on a journey of self-discovery in the English countryside, where she encounters Oliver, a descendant of Jane Austen who is skeptical of the famed author’s legacy. Their relationship, filled with initial disdain and eventual affection, mirrors the dynamic of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Caught in a romantic triangle and facing her insecurities, Agathe must confront her fears to fulfill her ambitions and find true happiness .
💰 Budget & Box Office
While the exact production budget has not been publicly disclosed, the film achieved moderate box office success:
- France: Grossed approximately $759,554
- United States: As of late May 2025, it earned $336,700 .
🌟 Critical Reception
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life received generally favorable reviews:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 87% approval rating based on 60 reviews, with the consensus stating, “A modern, literate and sweet riff on finding the kind of happiness that can’t be found in a book, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life will make your day.”
- Metacritic: Score of 75 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable reviews” .
Critics praised the film’s charm, wit, and homage to Austen’s themes, though some noted its reliance on romantic comedy tropes.
🎭 Themes & Style
The film blends classic romantic comedy elements with contemporary sensibilities, exploring themes of self-discovery, the complexities of modern love, and the influence of literary ideals on personal relationships. Set against picturesque English countryside and Parisian locales, it offers a bilingual narrative that appeals to both French and English-speaking audiences .
📅 Release Timeline
- World Premiere: September 9, 2024, at the Toronto International Film Festival
- France Theatrical Release: January 22, 2025
- U.S. Release: May 23, 2025, by Sony Pictures Classics
- Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Opened the festival on February 4, 2025 .
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring allure of Austen’s narratives, offering a fresh take on romantic ideals through the lens of contemporary storytelling.
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