Diane Atkinson

It's one thing to do a modern adaptation in a modern setting - like Bridget Jones, it can be very entertaining. However, when you take a novel about the Regency period and place it in the Regency period, with Regency settings and costumes and then rewrite the dialog in 21st century slang while directing the action to 21st century vibes, you are going to have one "hot mess" as you have with this film. Ann Elliot slouching at the breakfast table in her nightclothes and then dumping a breadbasket to place on her head and smearing jam on her face to amuse the children - doesn't fly! Nails on a chalkboard.