Somebody Did Their Homework

Paging Mr. Darcy is the first of 4 of Hallmark’s attempts to to honor  Jane Austen with their February stories which they call “Loveuary” (gag). Oh, it’s not the first time they have based their movies on plots and characters from Jane Austen novels. Far from it. In fact, in one scene, one of their first efforts, Unleashing Mr. Darcy is being played in the background. First, I want to say that it is very apparent that the scriptwriter is either a longtime devotee of  Jane and her books or did a ton of research for her script.  I’m betting on the former. There are so many inconsequential and subtle asides and details that research alone would miss.  Period dances, costumes, Jane’s letters, leisure activities of the time,  and most especially the ins and outs of the passionate and devoted Jane Austen fandom. I cannot think of one instance of lazy writing or lack of attention to detail in this which is all too common in many Hallmark movies. In fact, in comparing many aspects of this movie to Jane’s characters and themes, it actually manages to be thought-provoking. I mean, I had several thoughts provoked. I even detected a reference to Lucy Steele (maybe).

Although the references and similarities to Pride and Prejudice are many, the key to the characters and the secondary story are really straight out of Sense and Sensibility. We meet Eloise (Eleanor) on a plane on her way to a kind of cross between a Jane Austen academic conference and Austenland. She chides her seatmate who, commenting on the book she is reading, has the nerve and ignorance to call Jane Austen novels “romances”. When he asks why, then, is she going to what is essentially a comic-con for Jane Austen, she confides that she agreed to be the keynote speaker to meet one of the organizers, the author of the book she is reading, who is a Jane Austen specialist like herself.  The professor is on the selection committee for a post at Princeton for which Eloise is a finalist. She is there to network and promote herself for the job, not to participate in any of the silly activities such as the ball or, heaven forfend, dress up in costume for the weekend. Yes, Eloise is one of THOSE Janeites. The ones that turn up their noses at anything Jane Austen-related that have a little fun with her works and might not be strictly authentic and true to her writings.  Except Eloise, though somewhat of a literary snob, tries to be nice and polite about it. Or at least, she apologizes afterward (it’s not you, it’s me type thing).

Much to her dismay, she is met at the airport by a guy dressed up in Regency costume attracting a lot of attention cosplaying Mr. Darcy! This is her worst nightmare! Eloise shies away from being the center of attention, likes to sit on the sidelines and be serious and studious all the time. This is totally not her thing.  Of course, we know, that with “Mr. Darcy”, we have met Eloise’s romantic match, and not just because he is played by Will Kemp.  Also to her dismay, when Eloise meets Victoria, the professor she wants to impress, she finds out that she wholeheartedly embraces the cosplay, fun, and fandom. Eloise pretends to go along with the dancing, crafts, leisure activities, food, and theatricals (yes, even Mansfield Park gets a nod), guided by Mr. Darcy-real name Sam Lee-who happens to be Victoria’s nephew. He and Elinor team up. He will help her get in good with his aunt, and she will help keep his aunt safe from the romantic attentions of another professor also vying for the Princeton opening. Amusingly, he is an ex-actor who played Willoughby in a 1980s production of Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen movie fans will totally get him when his character laments how later treatments have outshone these early BBC productions.  Eloise loosens up and starts enjoying herself as well as enjoying Sam’s company. We find out that they have a lot in common. Sam is actually very shy and nerdy only about computers, not books (although of course, he likes books too.) He cosplays to support his beloved aunt Victoria but also because it helps take him out of his shell and hides his shyness. Oh, and he sold his company so he’s also rich and trying to start a non-profit.

Meanwhile, Mia, Eloise’s sister descends upon the scene. Just as Eleanor and Maryanne are complete opposites in Sense and Sensibility, so are Eloise and Mia. She is heartbroken because she just broke up with her boyfriend because his marriage proposal was not romantic enough. As usual, she comes to her sister for support and comfort. And as usual, Eloise wants to fix things and advise her. Mia is an over-emotional Drama Queen and is played to perfection by Lillian Doucet-Roche. She is very funny, once we understand her role in the story.

Before we reach the happy endings for our two sisters, we have to slice through misunderstandings, reveals, learning curves for a few characters, romantic moments, hurt feelings, and a possible career crisis. And we are treated with sprinkles of Jane Austen scattered throughout.  Eloise learns to open up, take risks, and embrace the romance. “Fools and Heroines are not separate categories. You have to be willing to be one in order to be the other.” Or words to that effect. To add to the fun, we have an unexpected romantic ending for a third couple as well!

If the remaining 3 homages to Jane Austen  are  as entertaining and well made as this one, both Hallmark and Austen aficionados are in for a treat and 3 more lovely Saturday nights.