Fans of romance films and period dramas are being encouraged to give a Jane Austen-style movie on Netflix a watch.

Those who enjoy costume dramas and romances reminiscent of Jane Austen should add this French box-office hit to their viewing lists.

Released in 2018, the film is inspired by a story from Denis Diderot’s 1796 novel Jacques the Fatalist. It centres on Madame de La Pommeraye, a young widow who has come to terms with the fact that she has never truly experienced love.

That changes when the self-confessed libertine Marquis des Arcis persistently pursues her for two years, eventually convincing her that perhaps love really is possible.

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Netflix teased the story, saying: “When their affair goes sideways, she’s forced to hatch a scandalous plot involving another noble’s illegitimate daughter that takes everyone by surprise.”

The romantic period drama is Lady J, and viewers have shared plenty of praise for the film in reviews on IMDb.

A man rests his head against a woman’s shoulder while both are dressed in period costumes.

Lady J has been praised as a visually impressive romantic drama.

One viewer wrote: “If you want to unwind, I recommend this visually stunning movie, which is full of clever intrigues.”

Another said: “Lady J was such a great surprise for me. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this movie and I had never heard of it before watching it on Netflix, but I loved it.

“The film was packed with beautiful, elaborate and ornate sets and costumes, with so much detail that almost every scene looked as though it belonged in a painting.”

Another fan described the film as a “must-watch”, adding: “So many lines in this script really hit me. This film is not only wonderfully written, but the acting is exquisite.

“The actors do a fantastic job of using their facial expressions to convey subtext, which makes the overall experience much richer.”

A group of people dressed in period costumes stand outside.

Fans have also praised the period drama’s striking scenery and costume design.

Another viewer highlighted its themes of “court intrigue, revenge, and moral turpitude”, placing it alongside classic works such as Great Expectations and Pride and Prejudice.

Director Emmanuel Mouret discussed his decision to adapt this particular book with Eye For Film, saying: “What was very exciting about this adaptation was that it seemed very modern to me.

“Actually, that’s the definition of all the great classics. Something remains a classic when it can also feel modern.

“And apart from Les Liaisons Dangereuses, there are very few films that focus on this particular period of the 1770s. There are many films about the Revolution, but very few about the years leading up to it.”

Lady J currently holds an 85% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and was regarded as a box-office success following its original release.

Lady J is available to watch on Netflix.