French director Laura Piani presents a bold yet heartfelt critique of the unrealistic romantic expectations encouraged by classic literature in her film, "Jane Austen Wrecked My Life". The movie revolves around an aspiring writer, Agathe, who idolizes Austen's standards of romance, courtship, and soulmates. Agathe contends with her own romantic and literary struggles, believing herself born in the wrong era.

While contemporary romantic comedies have predominantly migrated to streaming platforms, Piani’s film delivers a cinematic experience with its dynamic bilingual dialogue and classic comedic elements. Piani plays up Agathe's frustrating yet relatable journey through modern love, marked by misplaced idealism and fruitless attempts at mimicking her literary models.

Agathe's pursuit of love takes an unexpected turn when her best friend Félix discreetly sends her romantic fiction work to a writer’s residency at Austen’s historical residence. Her ensuing journey across the English Channel introduces her to a distant relative of Austen’s, Oliver, resulting in an awkward, frosty, yet chemically charged encounter.

Simultaneously, Agathe has to navigate her complex feelings for playboy Félix after sharing an intimate moment just prior to her departure. This romantic triangle collectively complicates her emotional landscape.

The film defies stereotypes of typical French cinema by casting Camille Rutherford, an unconventionally attractive actress, as Agathe. Her quirky yet intellectual nature making her stand out amidst the conventional beauties of French cinema, providing a refreshingly realistic portrayal of a modern woman.

Piani’s film rejects the clichéd happily ever after end common in Austen novels by focusing on Agathe's personal journey and writing career, rather than her romantic endeavours. It dissects the illusions crafted by whimsical love stories, blending fantasy and reality in a way that mirrors Agathe's own imaginative inclinations.

“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” serves as a critical commentary on the unrealistic narrative of love often sold by literary and cinematic fiction, while still managing to captivate audiences with its romantic comedy storyline.