The hallmark of good literature is the author’s ability to tell a story. You can argue the importance of literature’s role in the commencement of revolutions, in the forward march of societal progress, but even when literature has Something Important to say, the effect on the audience is greatly intensified and the reach is magnified when the reader feels the narrative.
That’s paraphrasing my favorite scene in the movie, but it made me think about my favorite books, and even my favorite works of non-fiction have a thread of artistic talent running through them where the author is able to tell a story through the factual representation of the events. The Sixth Extinction isn’t just good because it’s an interesting entry into the climate change debate — it’s good because Elizabeth Kolbert knows how to tell a story.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a movie for people who love books, and even though it’s only 90 minutes long, I came away with the feeling that I had read a lovely, contemplative, sweet, relatable novel about longing, connection, self-doubt, and the universal search for happiness. I quite wish there was a book as the source material, so I could go read it, but I appreciate that filmmakers are still making (and studios are still willing to produce) movies about everything and nothing at all that remind you to just live, and enjoy it.
Score: 4/5
Leave a Reply