Reviews

I came out of this film wanting to find out more about Jane Austen, because I was incredibly puzzled by the references and her actions in this film. I have read all of her novels, but nothing about her specifically. Well, I'm on the hunt now. As I have Googled the film now, I've come upon "not accurate, but still a likable film". So in general people seem to like the looks of it and are happy to disregard the rest. Which I always find hilarious because the viewer and the critic are engaged in a film more when the powers that be, the ones that get the big bucks, put in the effort to do their homework. I really can't understand releasing a film with loose ends and inequalities etc...etc. Be that as it may. I hope this got viewers interested in reading Jane Austen's novels and reading more about Jane herself.--2/17/08 I just read a book on Jane and another film "Miss Austen Regrets". I was mistaken. There are no real facts about Jane Austen. Well, the majority of letters written by Jane were lost/destroyed. And the rest of the info is written by extended family that may or may not recall information selectively and prejudicously. It's all conjecture. No wonder people fantasize that her books are about her and that she had these "loves" in her life. So, forgive me dear filmmakers - you HAVE done your homework. Viewers - Please see this movie, but only after you've read a bit about Jane herself and follow it up with Miss Austen Regrets. As Becoming Jane is the beginning, Miss Austen Regrets in near the end of her life. Thank you

I think Kirstie Alley is fantastic! She is hilarious and so is her ensemble cast. Bravo to Kelly Preston - she was hysterical! ...I recently gained a lot of weight and am an actress - paid? no, recognized? no, but I do understand how hard it is to get parts and how you just want to hide away, but yet you love the acting so it's a freakin' vicious cycle. Especially when the parts you want to get are for skinny people. And understandably so. It takes physical energy to be an actor. Being obese is not healthy nor is being anorexic.

I'm glad Kirstie has found solace in Jenny Craig. That's not my weightloss option of choice, but hey whatever works and different strokes for different folks....in saying all of that...

I still think that she could have continued the show for another season even though she lost a lot of weight. There were still topics to explore and I think she would have done that marvelously.

I can't wait to see Kirstie in more roles soon!! Keep it up girl!

Seriously, I would love love to see more Japanese Dorama formatted with English subtitles and distributed via DVD. Please let me know if there is someone doing this already because I'd love to get more of a fix.

I just watched this wonderful show via YouTube. For a short time a Seattle Station was playing Japanese shows on weekends, but they are no longer doing this and for the past few years I've been missing out.

This is a great story and for those of you tired of the predictable story lines etc of American Television, please check this out.

The Japanese along with the English in my opinion really put out great shows and they are not interested in having a show run for 3 billion seasons.

The show - Engine - deals with failure, challenges, triumph and the twists and turns through life. It doesn't always work out the way you plan. This show is wonderful for both men and women. A Japanese man (Jiro - played by Takuya Kimura) in his 30's comes home to Japan after being fired from an F1 racing team out of Australia. He was a great racer in Japan, not the best, but great and wants to get back into the game and show "them" he can do it. He comes home to find that his father has started an orphanage. And his father isn't too thrilled to see him. Jiro can't seem to adjust and neither can the orphanage.

There is lot's of Japanese custom and cultural that will surprise a lot of Americans, but it's fascinating to watch. This might be a lesson and also an example of how much we've changed as a culture.

Americans - You'll recognize - Tomomi Mizukoshi played by Koyuki. She was in the Last Samuri. Great performance.

There are a lot of children in this show and they are not pretentious or annoying but wonderfully played.

Great characters and story line.

I also love the show: Kon'na koi no hanashi - Would love for that to be released for Ameeerrricans to see.

Great work. Please check it out if you can.

Yes, I rated this a 7 out of a 10....I only gave it a 7 because I haven't seen it since I was 7 years old......don't know if it's the 10 I used to think it was hee hee I loved Roller Boogie hee hee...I must have watched that movie a million times when I was a kid.

When I was a kid I also didn't care about the plot...All I thought was beaches, skating, pretty girl, pretty boy...happy ending.

I'm afraid that if I see it now I'll be supremely disappointed by my childhood innocence like I was with Saturday Night Fever...whew...I had no idea what was going on there until I saw it when I got older..again I had tunnel vision as a kid. I could only think about the dancing.

If you want to see Linda Blair not controlled by the devil and have some campy fun...go for it!!!! Don't be a snob:)

Why Why Why....

Please viewers take a chance to view the original film version of Nick Hornby's novel. This stars the subtle comic abilities of Colin Firth as the main character - Paul Ashworth.

This 1997 adaptation has so many wonderful levels. As a comedy it deals with humor as it should...seriously. These characters are serious about their own lives and their views on life. Which makes the humor so much more deep and emotionally bonds you with the characters. None of these characters are stereotypical or 2 dimensional. These characters are vulnerable and fragile, but passionate about hanging on for dear life to whatever they feel is the life blood of who they are. Also, that love has no recipe nor is at all close to perfect.

Please see the 1997 adaptation instead of a film made to appeal to Americans' "supposed" limited attention span and instead spread your wings and understand another country's passion.

I happened upon this while channel surfing a few years ago. Luckily Fuji Television was being aired on a local Seattle television station late at night on the weekends. Plus it was broadcast with English subtitles.

I was hooked instantly by the story line, as well as I have travelled to Japan and the story takes you to many areas. So even if you have never been to Japan you get a taste of the different areas around Tokyo and a better understanding of the class system.

I was watching The Last Samuri and kept thinking Ujio certainly looks familiar.....I am so thrilled he was pictured in a film distributed in the US woo woo...