I went into this film expecting quite a bit because its loaded with actors I love. Maria Bello is Jocelyn, a woman who loses her beloved dog in the opening of the film. Kathy Baker and Amy Brenneman are Bernadette and Sylvia, who decide to start the book club as a way to give Jocelyn something to look forward to. Maggie Grace is Allegra, Sylvia's headstrong daughter. Emily Blunt is Prudie, a teacher dragged into the club by Bernadette. And Hugh Dancy rounds out the club as Grigg, a man Jocelyn meets and impulsively asks to join as a match for Sylvia who is separated from her husband. It's a fantastic cast, and with six principal characters, you wouldn't really expect that each of their stories would get their share of the screen time, but they are all fully explored, and each of the actors do a great job. I particularly love Hugh Dancy as the Austen novice. Grigg has never read any of the novels, and is not familiar with the stories in any shape or form. When he's thrown into this group of women who have all read the novels at least once, it's fun to watch him try to get his bearings.

I must confess that I've only read two of Austen's novels so far, but, because of having friends who are firm believers that Jane writes the best heroes, I am familiar with each of the stories, and as I said, I believe that's a must. Parallels are quickly drawn between each of the six main characters and the novels they choose to discuss. These parallels might not be as easy for people who don't already know the stories to pick up on, and I think the movie would lose a little something for the audience member who only sees the similarities in what the characters actually discuss. Of course, their discussions are really interesting. Its easy to see why Allegra hates a character Sylvia loves, or why Jocelyn feels the need to defend her book's main character. Its just as interesting to see Grigg, who doesn't hold the same personal connection the women do, pick apart the stories they hold so dear and give them completely new opinions.

Having not yet read the novel the movie is based on, I can't say for certain exactly how far it deviates from the book, but I can tell you that Austen fans will appreciate it. It was a fun ride, and a sweet story to watch unfold. I most definitely enjoyed it.