In her utterly charming debut, writer-director Laura Piani draws from Austen’s works while crafting a wholly contemporary romantic comedy that stands on its own merits. A breezy and smart exploration of the competing modern desires for both connection and escapism, Piani’s film also delves into how past tragedies and heartbreaks can cause us to live like supporting characters in our own lives.

Agathe (Camille Rutherford) is a hopelessly clumsy yet charming young woman, who works in the legendary Shakespeare & Co. bookshop in Paris. While she dreams of being a successful writer, and of experiencing love akin to a Jane Austen novel, she finds herself desperately single and plagued by writers block. When Agathe’s best friend (Pablo Pauly) gets her invited to the Jane Austen Writers' Residency in England, she finally has her Jane Austen moment…and is caught in a very unexpected romantic triangle. Agathe must let go of her insecurities to decide what she really wants for herself, and to achieve her romantic and professional dreams.

Reviews
"Laura Piani’s splendid debut balances reality with the effervescent charm of vintage swooners." – Variety