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" Jane Austens books were pretty detailed social commentaries. What do you think The Jane Austen Book Club says about society today? ROBIN SWICORD (writer/director): The film is a portrait of how we live (at least in North America) right now more connected to each other by technology than ever, yet somehow more isolated by the hectic pace of our lives. Jane Austens characters seem to have plenty of time to take walks and sit together in conversation, but today it takes an exerted effort to create moments of leisure and face-to-face connection. When Bernadette suggests taking a class together or starting a book club, Sylvia feels overwhelmed. I dont think I can fit one more thing into my day, Sylvia says, then quickly amends, in case she sounds selfish, No, no, youre right, we should make an effort. Then almost at once she gives herself an excuse to avoid the effort, But Jocelyn lives so far away. That one exchange feels like so much of my life!   KATHY BAKER (plays Bernadette):  The message of The Jane Austen Book Club and of Jane Austen&amp;#039;s books is all about communication and relationships. Sometimes Austen talks about how hard it is to connect with others, and sometimes she illustrates how wonderful and joyous human connection can be. This search for connection is universal and timely for 2007 and for Jane Austen&amp;#039;s era as well. We all look for partners and for &amp;quot;like-minded&amp;quot; others, whether it be animal-lovers, book-lovers, art-lovers, science-fiction lovers, or romantic and sexual lovers. It&amp;#039;s just human nature!   MAGGIE GRACE (plays Allegra):  I think it gently suggests that many of us have lost a sense of where we are going and why. The characters we find in the beginning certainly need a sense of connectedness and community. I think that is one reason (of a ripe plethora of reasons, of course!) that many of us so love this little world Austen creates in each of her books. The characters are still completely relevant to contemporary society, but the world is smaller and more manageable. When you only know the people that populate your village and maybe a few, oh, I dont know, strapping young soldiers stationed in Brighton?, then the value placed on those interactions and on really knowing these people was incredible. And you depended on the people in your community, not Amazon.com or that annoyingly obliging souless computer voice that answers your call now anytime you need anything! Dont we all occasionally feel like catapulting the phone out the nearest window and screaming, But I just wanna talk to a PERSON! PLEEEEEEEASE!   AMY BRENNEMAN (plays Sylvia):  That our society is as specific and detailed as Jane Austens. Where she had messengered notes we have texting and blackberries, but the net result is the same: human beings attempting to connect with each other and with their hearts desire amid a complex and confusing world. Which Jane Austen character do you think each of your characters represents? ROBIN SWICORD (writer/director):  Jocelyn is Emma Woodhouse, a matchmaker with no plans to marry. Allegra is Marianne in Sense &amp;amp;amp; Sensibility, impatient and impulsive, always taking risks -- not just with her body but with her heart. Sylvia is Fanny Price of Mansfield Park, whose refuge is her home, and who values family above almost everything. Her personal values in the face of disappointment give her unexpected strength. Prudie is Anne Elliot in Persuasion. What Prudie once felt for her husband has soured (in Annes case, she had rejected her fianc\u00E9), and in the film she realizes that she wants to recapture what has been lost. Of course, the same is also true for Sylvia! Bernadette reminds me a little of Mrs. Gardiner in Pride &amp;amp;amp; Prejudice she has that manner of nonjudging wisdom; but she also provides the quiet sardonic commentary that Jane Austens own voice provides as we read the novels. Grigg is every decent intelligent man who has been underestimated or misunderstood in one of Jane Austens novels: Mr. Darcy in Pride &amp;amp;amp; Prejudice, Colonel Brandon in Sense &amp;amp;amp; Sensibility, Mr. Knightly in Emma, and Captain Wentworth in Persuasion. In Mansfield Park, it is Fanny Price herself who is underestimated!   KATHY BAKER (plays Bernadette):  My character, Bernadette, is representative of the generation of women who are past their first marriage and are looking for a partner to spend the years together which are not about child-rearing or making a nest, but about appreciating and savoring the years of wisdom and passion and discovery and love and hope, which are still possible for the over-50 crowd, believe me!   MAGGIE GRACE (plays Allegra):  Ive always associated Allegra with Sense and Sensibilitys Maryanne. Allegra, like Maryanne is wide open, mercurial, opinionated, impulsive, and ruled by the passion of the moment. Theres a JABC line about Maryanne that I like, she is generous with herself.   MARIA BELLO (plays Jocelyn):  I play Jocelyn in the film. Shes constantly trying to force Grigg and her best friend Sylvia into a relationship, play matchmaker and is so oblivious to Griggs feelings for her, so I think shes an Emma. Kathy Baker, who plays Bernadette in the film, even says at one point about Jocelyn, youre such an Emma.   EMILY BLUNT (plays Prudie):  I feel Prudie most represents Anne Elliott in Persuasion for they are both essentially in need of a second chance so are regretful in nature. They reject people in their lives they shouldnt and then have an emotional journey out of the withdrawl and fear and learn how to love again and to persuade the other person to love them in return.   HUGH DANCY (plays Grigg):  Grigg is kind of the anti-Darcy; hes not afraid to look silly, but as the story goes on we realize he has some steel to him, as well. Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, starts off as Mr. Uptight, but softens as Elisabeth gets to know him. Plus, he never wore lycra.  AMY BRENNEMAN (plays Sylvia):  I say that I most identify with Fanny in Mansfield Park and thats probably true. Like Fanny, Sylvia is steadfast and true, and wary of the facile and slick. But throughout the story, she discovers much about herself, too. She discovers that in addition to being steadfast, she is also strong, and that there is a place for charm and flirtation.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/life/q-and-a/a2234/jane-austen-book-club/>