Ep. 172 Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (dir. Laura Piani)

On the podcast, Alex recommends Laura Piani’s Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, a witty and warm film with a touch of melancholy about a woman getting unstuck..

Have you ever had a film sneak up on you? One you like at first but love after repeated viewings?

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Heeney discusses Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, the debut feature from Laura Piani. It’s a lovely film that’s not just a rom-com. It’s also about unresolved grief, creative block, and a woman getting unstuck.

The story centres on Agathe (Camille Rutherford), an aspiring writer in Paris. She’s stuck emotionally and professionally after losing her parents. When she gets a spot at the Jane Austen Residency, a writer’s retreat in England, it might be just what she needs.

What follows is part rom-com, part coming-of-age story. Think Pride and Prejudice meets Frances Ha. It’s full of visual and verbal wit, and also a lot of heart.

🔗 In this episode, Alex also talks about:

• How the film makes you laugh — until Agathe lets her heartbreak in, and you might just cry
• How Piani’s frame composition drives the comedy and shows where Agathe is — and isn’t — in her life
• How the film’s structure mirrors Agathe’s emotional arc
• How Piani reimagines Jane Austen archetypes for 2025

💬 Next time on the podcast: Alex will return to Jane Austen Wrecked My Life for a close reading of its exquisite opening and closing scenes. It’s the kind of deep dive she offers inside Reel Ruminators. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.

Podcast Credits for this episode on Laura Piani’s Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

Alex Heeney edited, produced, and recorded the episode.

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Follow Alex Heeney on Bluesky, Twitter and Instagram. 

An AI-generated transcript for the episode is available on Apple Podcasts.