Antonia and Jane (1991)***

Seen on 28-8-2009 - Star Movies film
Cast: Imalda Staunton ("Freedom Writers" & "Veera Drake" (Jane), Saskia Reeves (Antonia)
Dir.: Beeban Kidron
The story line is built around the idea that contrary, reason-defying impulses and emotions coexist in human beings and that often we do things that we hate or that we are drawn to things we hate. That contradictions and contrarian principles are built into our behavior and our relationships. And as it often happens we are even aware of this and yet can't help doing what we do.
This is beautifully brought out in this short film about two women who hate each other while being loving friends at the same time; who keep having an annual reunion meeting for years in spite of frequently not wanting it.
Jane is plain and loves books and classic writers while her friend Antonia is beautiful, talented and has a nifty job at a publisher. Antonia steals Jane's boyfriend, invites Jane to her wedding with him and for this Jane hates her although she attends the wedding. The whole series of love-hate contrariness of evens is cast in comic mode.
They keep seeing the same therapist psychiatrist and the narrative comes through their confessions to her. This is cleverly done.
Since the movie was scheduled for early morning (5:55) screening, mom missed it so she could do her regular exercise.

"Plain Jane Hartman hates her life. She's goofy, boring and only has sex if she reads Iris Murdoch novels out loud to her loopy boyfriend. Her oldest friend Antonia McGill knows about everything. She orders the right food; she can complain and get results. She's beautiful and has a brilliant career. Is it any wonder that they hate each other's guts? "--IMDB summary