I just came back from watching the adaptation of The Jane Austen Book Club. I was in a mood for a feel-good (but non-stupid) chickflick and this was perfect. It's got a very likable cast, some nice dialog, and an overly-tidy ending, but eh. I still liked it lots.

Hugh Dancy, who had always struck me as one of those bland British pretty boys destined to swan about in neckerchiefs and breeches in limp second-rate periodicals until they develop a beer belly, is COMPLETELY ADORKABLE in the role of the sole male member of the book club. Wow. I seriously wanted to reach into the screen, grab him and take him home with me. Is Grigg in the book as adorable? I guess I'll find out, since I went off to the Barnes & Nobles next to the theater and bought the book.

Vonnie, you should rent Evening if you want to see more of Dancy acting people's socks off—his performance in that struck me as one of the better ones.

He was very good in the recent Broadway revival of the World War II play, Journey's End . He got a Tony nomination, if I recall, though did not win.

Personally, I love him from Ella Enchanted anyway. Because that movie is awesome.

Thanks! I'll check the film out.

The only things I'd seen Dancy in before this was in BBC adaptations of Daniel Deronda and David Copperfield and I wasn't too impressed with him in those, but man, he was just so sweetly dorky and charming as all get-out in this movie.

For Damian Lewis fans, I can definitely recommend the updated version of Much Ado About Nothing shown as part of the ShakespeaRetold miniseries on BBCAmerica, in which he was delightfully snarky as Ben(edict), which also costarred Billie Piper as the smeared ingenue.

which also costarred Billie Piper as the smeared ingenue.

And as Beatrice, a woman whose name I forget, but who was the female lead in "Blackpool", which David Tennant fans may have seen.

I just realized I had been accidentally unsibscribed to this thread for about 4 months. Oops. No wonder I have no idea what movies are out.

So, what movies are out? Specifically, I am in the market for a movie that my husband and I can go see together and both enjoy. He likes independent artsy movies, I like chick flicks and wordy british things, we both dislike boring action movies. Anything out right now where we could find common ground? Preferably not depressing.

He likes independent artsy movies, I like chick flicks and wordy british things

I've heard marvellous things about Once, although I haven't seen it yet myself. It's a love story about two musicians and the man is played by Glen Hansard of The Frames. It's got big indie cred, and from what I hear, some really great music.

Once, if it's still playing in your area. [x-post]

It's got big indie cred, and from what I hear, some really great music.

And Dublin! The Bestest Place on earth!