MovieChat Forums > The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) Discussion > Why did this movie bomb?

Why did this movie bomb?

posted 16 years ago by Gittes74
13 replies | jump to latest

Let's face it -- most movies come nowhere near the books they're based on (Notable exceptions include "Ordinary People" and "Field of Dreams." Also "Sideways"). It literally is apples and oranges with telling stories on the page vs. on the screen.

But one had to feel sorry for Karen Fowler as she sat squirming through her first movie screening, watching her wonderful novel being trashed by Hollywood. Did you catch that cute opening "montage" with everyone in such a hurry and locked to their cell phones, with the catchy soundtrack underneath? I didn't even get through the opening credits before realizing that I was spending nearly two hours with a true turkey -- and it wasn't even Thanksgiving!

It just got progressively worse. Is there any wonder why this movie made so little money? Why is robin Swicord allow to write scripts that get produced? I hope she made it up to Ms. Fowler somehow.

Gobble! Gobble!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dude63636363 16 years ago

I thought it was well done. And I disagree on the old cliche that movies don't live up to their books. I enjoyed this movie, it was light and interesting. Though, I didn't read the book.

[–] gerwynfan 16 years ago

To Gittes74 -- couldn't disagree more, but to each his own. But I must say, in the Jane Austen world, you sound like the ultra-rich uncle or aunt whose opinion must be agreed to by the others as these rich folks hold the livelihoods and thus the "love"lihoods of the "lesser" folk.

This movie didn't "bomb." It was an indie release which traditionally don't get the wide releases and the big box office. But check the DVD sales figures!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Fleur_de_lis 16 years ago

I believe Sideways was published after the film rights were purchased and the movie underway.

[–] klorentz 16 years ago

I read this book a couple of times before I saw the movie, and know all of Austen's books quite well.....and big surprise, I actually enjoyed the film more than the book. I saw it for free at JASNA meeting with a couple of friends from the pemberley.com website. We all enjoyed it very much.

[–] dariaplanet 16 years ago

My roommate and I just watched this last night. I had never read the book and really enjoyed the movie. She has read the book and said she also liked it better than the book...which is pretty rare!!

[–] Dragoneyed363 16 years ago

This movie was absolutely fantastic!
As you see by the rating, a lot of people loved it, including me, and probably the only reason it bombed was because it didn't get the proper opening it deserved, and nobody knew anything about it.

This is the way the world ends. Not with a whimper, but with a bang.

[–] linda303 16 years ago

I enjoyed the film -- it was light entertainment. But I simply could not get past the 2nd chapter of the book, as much as I love anything Jane Austen. It was going nowhere even in the 2nd chapter, so back it went to the library unread.

[–] smb-8 15 years ago

I'm over half way done with the book, and plan to read the rest of it before returning it to the library. That said, I also prefer the movie to the book. It was the movie that made me want to read the book hoping for the feel the movie had and perhaps more scenes that couldn't have been included. So far the book has not given that to me which is a surprise because usually books are better than the movies based on them.

[–] kreemer 15 years ago

Ok. I don't know whats happening to me. I just watched Georgia Rules and now this. Look. I'm a big man with a hairy chest and large hands. I read science fiction and drink down at the pub. So. The jane austen book club. I won't be reading her books believe me. But this morning i'm feeling abit blue, got the flu, am on the couch flicking through the channels, no news, no sci fi, no car stuff. Jane Austen Book Club. Just finished and i have a broad grin on my face. My life feels emptier with no-one to share it with. I want to be a boy again and this time I'd love my Dad. This is a gentle film, and certainly very girlie. Really. However. They get on with it and connect. The script is kind, and the acting is warm, and there's nothing wrong with this movie at all. Infact. I'm gonna leave the beer in the fridge, open a bottle of wine, and run a bubble-bath. Ya. It's like that.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Rpdsf 10 years ago

Maybe because it unrealistically romanticized infidelity; somewhat disguising it with the "fiction" of Jane Austin so the audience would sympathize with the cheater.