Review of Northanger Abbey (2007) by Kenneth S — 30 Jan 2011

This Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of Jane Austen's novel is a delight. In writing Northanger Abbey, Austen spoofed the gothic romances popular in her day (the works of Ann Radcliffe in particular) and her wit and, in some cases even slapstick humor shine through here unlike any other Austen film adaptation I've seen.

The wide-eyed Felicity Jones plays Catherine Morland, a young woman obsessed with "horrid, shocking" novels such as The Mysteries of Udolpho (read it. I can see why Regency readers would be shocked by it). Catherine's love of reading give her a healthy (some would call overactive) imagination, which gets her into a spot of trouble later in the story.

Catherine accompanies Mr. and Mrs. Allan, friends of her family, to Bath. In Bath, Catherine meets the scheming Isabella Thorpe and her dominating, flirtatious brother, John. She also meets Henry Tilney, a young (cute!) clergyman whose widower father owns a gothic mansion that is right out of Catherine's wildest flights of fancy. When the elder Mr. Tilney offers to let Catherine stay at the mansion, she jumps at the chance--and immediately begins imagining the "horrors" and "secrets" the mansion must hold: including the secret behind Mrs. Tilney's death. DUN DUN DUN!

Northanger Abbey is a fun, light adaptation. Felicity Jones is perfect for the role of naive, romantic Catherine and Carey Mulligan is amusing as Isabella, a flirt and schemer. This is a great film when you want to watch something intellectual, but also with a happy ending. And attractive Brits.