Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

In the movie 500 Days of Summer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character says it’s the cards, the movies, and the pop songs that are to blame for heartache. I, for one, believe that—and I’d add books to the list. They all sell you unattainable realities, because love just doesn’t work that way. That’s why the perfectly titled movie Jane Austen Wrecked My Life immediately caught my attention—because I’m willing to bet it’s not just one person, but a whole slew of people who feel that way. I don’t know—maybe I’m overanalyzing it all. But then again, maybe I’m just speaking a truth people need to hear.

Agathe (Camille Rutherford) works at a bookstore, but she dreams of becoming a writer. Unfortunately, she always seems to get stuck in her stories. Working alongside her is Félix (Pablo Pauly), a friend who genuinely cares about her. So when he sees a chance to help, he takes it—he submits a piece of her latest writing to a Jane Austen-themed writer’s retreat, and she gets in. With that, Agathe heads off to the English countryside. Upon arrival, she’s greeted by Oliver (Charlie Anson), the great-great-great-grandson of Austen herself. Things don’t start off well—their car breaks down, forcing them to spend the night stranded. But from that rough beginning, things start to shift.

Still, Agathe can’t quite shake her writer’s block. As she struggles to find her story, she and Oliver begin to develop a connection. The question is: will Agathe be able to get past her own emotional walls in time to let him in?

Written and directed by Laura Piani, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life manages to stay grounded while telling a story of personal growth through Agathe. Love complicates things—as it always does—and Agathe, who isn’t one to chase romance on apps or social media, faces some meaningful choices. You could call it a tale of self-discovery. At the retreat, Agathe begins to confront her fears and trauma, and we go on that emotional journey with her. By the end, she seems genuinely content with where she’s at.

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a thoughtful reflection on identity and romance, offering plenty of laughs and charm along the way. Anyone wrestling with their own identity or modern love will find something to relate to in Agathe’s story. The pacing in the first quarter feels a little uneven, but once the retreat begins, the film finds its rhythm and becomes truly captivating. While this is, at its core, a love story, Piani never lets it become overblown. She’s far more interested in exploring Agathe’s journey through anxiety and her path toward confidence and creative fulfillment.

Rutherford is quite good as Agathe—she brings both yearning and hesitation to life as a bookseller weighed down by unrealized potential. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is ultimately a delight to watch. Piani keeps things modest and grounded, never skimping on small details, and delivers a story that resonates—perhaps even inspiring viewers to reflect on where they are in their own lives, and where they want to go next .