Becoming Jane
It’s James, not Jane, who provides the magnetic tug in director Julian Jarrold’s fleet revel about Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) and Thomas Lefroy (James Mc- Avoy of “The Last King of Scotland”). Jarrold and the screenplay’s writers mix tantalizing evidence of Austen’s one love affair with literary nods to her novels — “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility” tops among them. Could the 18th-century novelist’s vexed (debated) romance with Lefroy have provided the material for her memorable, if troublesome, male characters? PG; 120 minutes. Released today.Gone Baby Gone
Ben Affleck’s encouraging directorial debut is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, author of “Mystic River.” Clint Eastwood’s film and this one share dark themes in which child abuse shatters innocence and contorts adults. Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan are Pat Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, partners in love and crime- solving who set out their shingle in the neighborhood of their youth. When the aunt of a little girl gone missing calls on their local know-how, the duo begin nosing around. Cops played by Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris aren’t happy. It’s a tough but generous gaze Affleck casts on Dorchester and its denizens. The movie ties itself in a few too many knots in the last act. Even so, there are morally and philosophically weighty challenges. R; 114 minutes. Released today.No Reservations
Forget chef Kate’s saffron sauce. The treat to savor in this amuse bouche of a chick flick is Aaron Eckhart. Catherine Zeta-Jones is a kitchen whiz put to the test when she must care for niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin). When restaurant owner Paula (Patricia Clarkson) hires sous chef Nick, the kitchen gets uncomfortable. Nick is a side of Eckhart (“Erin Brockovich”) fans have hoped for. On a shaggy smile riding above that perfectly cleft chin float plenty of fine fantasies about handsome, confident and, yes, sensitive guys. There’s a reason Nick cooks and drives a pickup. He is the dish women crave after the cheese-doodle boys of arrested romantic comedies grow stale. PG; 106 minutes. Released today.
