Sylvia (Amy Brenneman) and her husband, Daniel (Jimmy Smits) have been married for a little over 20 years. But, one day, Daniel drops the big bombshells that he is seeing another woman and that he wants a divorce. Sylvia is heartbroken, so much so that her young, beautiful, lesbian daughter Allegra moves back home to keep an eye on her. Close friend, Jocelyn (Maria Bello) is also hovering over Sylvia and decides to create a book club so that the jilted lady will be surrounded by friends, conversation, and hope. Joining the club is a six-time divorcée (Kathy Baker),an uptight young French teacher, Prudie (Emily Blunt),and Allegra herself. But, because they decide the club will be devoted to Jane Austen and her six books, they need one more member to put someone in charge of each, distinct book discussion. Therefore, Jocelyn invites Grigg (Hugh Dancy),an attractive young man she met at a hotel bar, to join them. In truth, he has eyes for Jocelyn and, although a science fiction fan, would read almost anything to get to know her better. Thus, the discussions start, but the repartee is, at times, only a brief breather from the continuing problems of the club members. These troubles include death, near-infidelity, sky-diving crashes, crazy mothers, and more. Will the club work to the benefit of its members? This is a lovely film about the friends and relationships that make human existence bearable. As the bosom buddies, the movie's fine cast members are all quite wonderful, with Blunt, especially, still managing to make her flawed, confused character, endearing. The California setting is beautiful, naturally, and so are the costumes. Then, too, the script is lively and refined, echoing Austen's great books. Indeed, there is enough of Jane's novels worked into the film's content to satisfy the fans of her highly esteemed works. In short, book yourself a showing of this film and invited your friends to join you at the viewing. Forgive me, but you will "club yourself" if you don't!

Six-time married Bernadette (Kathy Baker) meets distressed Prudie (Emily Blunt) and decides to form a Jane Austen book club with six people for the six Austen books. High school French teacher Prudie is eager to go to Paris for the first time with her husband Dean (Marc Blucas) until he cancels on her. She's bitter at him and falls for her student Trey (Kevin Zegers). Another member Sylvia (Amy Brenneman) is devastated when her husband Daniel (Jimmy Smits) leaves her for another woman. Their gay daughter Allegra (Maggie Grace) moves in with her hoping the book club could be a break. Sylvia's lifelong single friend Jocelyn (Maria Bello) is a dog breeder. She meets Grigg (Hugh Dancy) and thinks he could be a great hookup for Sylvia. Secretly, Grigg has a crush on Jocelyn and joins the club to be close to her.

These are great actresses portraying relationship fitting of Jane Austen. They make constant references to the books and form connections that remind of them. It is a wonderful take for all level of Austen fans. One doesn't need to read all of the books but a passing knowledge would help appreciate the movie. There is only one scene I can do without. The traffic light reading "What would Jane do" is too gimmicky. I know it was in the trailer but it doesn't fit visually. A long unbroken scene of her not crossing the green light would be much more powerful. This is great Jane Austen without the usual familiar costumed affair.

In California, the favorite dog of the lonely Jocelyn (Maria Bello) dies and she meets her best friends in the funeral: the six times divorced Bernadette (Kathy Baker); the housewife Sylvia (Amy Brenneman) and her lesbian daughter Allegra (Maggie Grace); and the young French teacher Prudie (Emily Blunt),whose mother is a dysfunctional woman.

When Sylvia's husband Daniel (Jimmy Smits) dumps her for a younger woman, Bernadette and Jocelyn organize a reading club of Jane Austen to distract her with Allegra and Prudie. Meanwhile the sci-fi fan Grigg (Hugh Dancy),who owns a software company and was raised with three sisters, flirts with Jocelyn and she invites him to join the club with the intention of introducing him to Sylvia. They plan to read and discuss the novels "Sense and Sensibility" (1811),"Pride and Prejudice" (1813),"Mansfield Park" (1814),"Emma (1816),"Northanger Abbey" (1818) and "Persuasion" (1818),one per month.

Meanwhile, Prudie's marriage with Dean (Marc Blucas) is in crisis and she flirts with the student Trey (Kevin Zegers). Aleggra falls in love for Corinne (Parisa Fitz-Henley) and tells her private life to her affair. But Jocelyn does not understand the feelings of Grigg. While reading the novels, their lives entwine with the characters of the writer, leading each one of them to find what is looking for in love.

"The Jane Austen Book Club" is a delightful film for common viewers, but certainly wonderful for Jane Austen's fans. The story about love, second chance and Jane Austen novels has one of the most pleasant and charismatic cast that I have ever seen, with very beautiful and charming mature and young actresses and great actors having top-notch performances. In the end, the film gives the desire of reading Jane Austen's novels. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Clube de Leitura de Jane Austen" ("The Jane Austen's Reading Club")