Movies

Miss Austen Reimagines the Iconic Marriage Plot with a Bold New Twist

BBG News

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: Among English novelists, none encapsulates the marriage plot quite like Jane Austen. This timeless narrative device, often seen in modern rom-coms, provides a sturdy framework for all six of her literary masterpieces. It underscores how romance, contrary to popular belief, can serve as a mirror reflecting a society’s values. However, there’s an irony about Austen that adds depth to these fairytale endings: She herself never walked down the aisle. In fact, she shielded her heroines from the very social and financial perils she faced in real life.

The focus in “Miss Austen,” a four-part BBC series based on Gill Hornby’s 2020 novel, premiering May 4 on PBS’s Masterpiece, is the realities faced by single women during Regency England, and specifically within the Austen family. Keeley Hawes plays Cassandra, Jane Austen’s older sister, who serves as the main character. The series explores the events that led Cassandra to burn many of Jane’s personal letters after her death. Though it initially maintains the formal rigidity common in Masterpiece productions, it eventually unfolds into a thoughtful and affectionate depiction of the life Jane Austen experienced but didn’t often write about, focusing primarily on unmarried women.

In her solitary middle age, Cassandra, similar to Hawes’ Cassandra who never married, was accustomed to a comfortable routine of chatting with goats and reading in bed. However, her tranquil life was disrupted by an unexpected letter announcing a family friend’s impending demise. Ignoring the warnings from her correspondent, she decided to visit Fulwar Fowle (Felix Scott), who was gravely ill. Cassandra had a past with the Fowles; she was once promised to Tom Fowle, the brother of Fulwar, before he perished on an expedition to the West Indies. Yet, her decision to travel wasn’t primarily driven by nostalgia. Instead, she explained to the servant accompanying her that there were some private matters, specifically letters penned by Jane to Fulwar’s deceased wife, Eliza, a close confidante of the Austen sisters, which needed to be handled personally.

Indeed, these letters take her back to their youthful days, with Synnøve Karlsen portraying young Cassandra and Patsy Ferran bringing Jane to life with great emotion. These letters stir up cherished memories from their past but also expose the author’s candid thoughts regarding her sister’s decisions. Some scenes may resemble typical costume-drama tropes, such as Hawes weeping over aged pieces of stationery. However, these moments are valuable in providing insight into Cassandra and Jane’s twenties, a time marked by both women receiving admirers; the younger Austen developed her writing voice with the encouragement of the elder sister; and they each became pivotal figures in one another’s lives. What appears to sadden grown-up Cassandra most, in these letters, is Jane’s disappointment over her sister’s rejection of a love match akin to that in “Pride and Prejudice.” As Jane writes to Eliza, “She chose insecurity.” And later, Cassandra whispers, “I did it for you, too,” half a lifetime on. One wonders if we would have ever heard the name “Jane Austen” if she hadn’t been so diligent in caring for her vibrant yet vulnerable, depressed writer during her life and after her death?

Meanwhile, at the Fowles’ residence in Kintbury, Mary Austen (Jessica Hynes), the proud widow of Cassandra’s brother James, is considering writing a joint biography with Jane about her late husband, whose mediocre poetry she values more than Jane’s already celebrated prose. Following Fulwar’s passing, his diligent daughter Isabella (Rose Leslie) is readying the house for the arrival of a new vicar, Mr. Dundas (Thomas Coombes), who seems a bit odd, as she ponders her own unpredictable future. Cassandra has pledged to Fulwar that she’ll match Isabella with one of his other daughters, but neither prospect appears appealing. One peculiar Fowle sister adds intrigue to the series, and Cassandra notices a romantic dynamic between Isabella and the local doctor, Mr. Lidderdale (Alfred Enoch).

In the concluding part of this series, the narrative felt somewhat forced, leaving behind an enduring impression rather than a perfect fit. After the initial excitement subsides, what remains are the tales of numerous single women – some widowed, others never married. Isabella’s sudden eviction from the home she grew up in resonates deeply. Mary’s relentless pursuit to honor James’ questionable talents lingers. The heartfelt bond between Isabella and her servant, Dinah (Mirren Mack), is poignant. Cassandra, Jane, and their mother grapple with adversity following the Austen patriarch’s demise. Jane struggles to accept a loveless marriage that would provide a lavish lifestyle but rob her of precious writing time. Cassandra’s relentless dedication to protect Jane – a devotion so fierce in Hornby’s story, it leads her to destroy countless pages penned by one of the most remarkable authors ever – Austen herself. Through its portrayal of Cassandra’s selfless acts, Miss Austen subtly hints that there were always multiple paths for a woman to live a fulfilling life.

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2025-05-02 18:06

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