Jane Austen's love story at Murphy Library
Julie Chautin Contributing writer

The next film at the Murphy Library is the biographical tale of novelist Jane Austen's own love story that found its footing on a contra dance floor. In 18th century England young people would go to contra dances, just like at the John C. Campbell Folk School today. Austen's own letters provided the framework to the story. Eighteen-year-old Jane (Anne Hathaway from The Devil Wears Prada) meets Irish lawyer Tom Lefroy (Atonement's James McAvoy) when he is sent to the countryside of Hampshire by his rich uncle and patron, Judge Langlois (Ian Richardson). The judge is punishing Lefroy for his wild London escapades.

Similar to Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Lefroy is bored by country life and manners. But Jane soon catches his eye when she matches him word for word, and then marches out on the cricket field to hit the ball and run like the wind.

Eventually it is their dance floor conversations that open their eyes to each other. However, like her future heroines, Austen has no money and no family connections. That means she must marry someone well off financially. Lefroy has no money either and depends on the judge for his living.

The library is screening this film at 6 p.m. Thursday. It is rated PG.

Call the library for the name of the film at 837-2417.

Our public performance license does not permit advertisement of the movie title to the general public.