In an era where Harry Potter gets a theme park, surely it’s not too long a literary bow to draw a similar tribute to Jane Austen. In fact, it’s a rather charming premise for a romantic comedy, especially when you lead is the impossible likable Kerri Russel playing a hapless 30-something cashing in her savings for a chacne to walk in Austen’s slippers. And the pedigree only continues with Flight of the Conchords co-star Brett McKenzie playing the incredulous, costumed help, and the writer of cult-comedy classic Mapoleon Dynamite, Kerusha Hess, at the helm. So why isn’t Austenland worth the price of admission?

For starters it’s a bad sign when your funniest scene is the end credits. If only the quik and the ribald frivolity evident there had found tis way into the film proper. Russell and a gratingly over-the-top Jennifer Coolidge do their darndest to raise some eyebrows and burst some corsets, but like a weak cup of tea, their efforts are largely watered down. Austern fans will nevertheless chuckle at a few twists on convention – to wit JJ Field makes for an admirably dashing Mr. Darcy – but for a real trip, I’d suggest tracking down the TV series...