'Jane Austen Wrecked My Life' Brings Realness to Romance

Though she was born in December, Jane Austen fans are celebrating her 250th birthday all year long in 2025. Referred to as "Jane Austen 250," the celebration of Austen's literary works at her quarter-millennium mark has planned new exhibitions in the U.K.'s national museums, special events at the historical sites like the Jane Austen House, documentary specials like the BBC's Jane Austen: Rise Of a Genius, and new adaptations of her books for TV and films, such as Netflix's new Pride & Prejudice.

However, as noted elsewhere, Austen didn't exactly leave a wealth of material to work with, which means there's another category of series and movies heading to viewers in celebration of Jane Austen 250; call them "Stories Inspired by Jane Austen." These include the BBC's The Other Bennet Sister, slated to debut by year's end; Miss Austen, which will debut on most PBS stations beginning May 4, 2025; and now the feature film Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, which Sony Pictures Classics has given a release date and trailer.

But like all Austen-adjacent material, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life comes with a twist. In this case, it's French. The film's plot was dreamed up (or perhaps was a slightly-autobiographical story from) Laura Piani, for whom this is her debut feature film. Piani grew up in France, loving Jane Austen's novels, and eventually studied filmmaking in the U.K. while working in bookshops. You'll see why that's relevant as soon as you watch he trailer.