'Deeply moving' biopic about one of Britain's greatest novelists is 'something special'

Fans have hailed a biopic about one of Britain's most beloved novelists as "beautifully done." Miss Austen Regrets (2007) is a biographical drama film about the later life of Jane Austen, the writer of classics of English literature like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.

It begins with Jane (played by Olivia Williams) accepting a proposal from a wealthy man who would secure her future, but she breaks off the engagement. More than a decade later, she is approaching forty and seemingly happy to have committed to remaining single and independent despite the financial hardships she faced. But while giving advice to her young niece , Fanny (played by Imogen Poots) about men and marriage, she becomes reflective about her own life choices.

The film was directed by Jeremy Lovering and written by Gwyneth Hughes, who said the series was "tightly based on Austen's surviving letters to her sister" and Fanny.

It also stars Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville and Loki star Tom Hiddleston as Reverend Brook Bridges and John Plumptre, respectively.

One fan on IMDb called it a "must-watch for Austen fans," adding: "If you've read her novels and love the world she creates, you will understand them so much better after seeing this BBC production."

They added that fans of Jane Austen "will love the unobtrusive inclusion of quotations from her books, the references to her most loved characters and the irony of her never finding a Mr Darcy in her own life. It moved me deeply".

Another called it "one of the best stories about Jane Austen!".

"I have watched this movie over and over and each time I love it more!!" they added. "Such great acting and the actors draw you into her story of love and lack there of. Just love love this movie!!"

The Guardian's Tom Wollaston said Williams' performance lifted the film "from standard Sunday-night BBC1 costume drama to something special".

"Her complex Austen was witty and brilliant, as you'd expect, but also moody and a bit mean, sometimes bordering on bitter," he added, calling it a "classy film".

Miss Austen Regrets is available to buy on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.