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My dad pre-ordered
Jane Eyre (2011) for my birthday and I watched it with my family almost as soon as it arrived in August. It's taken me a while to get around to reviewing it because the story's interest has rather worn out for me. But this is a very beautifully done film and this is much to interest the viewer.
Note: This review will contain some spoilers because I assume that most of my readers will already know this classic tale. So if you don't wish to know the story line and ending you can skip to the
My Recommendations part at the end.
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| Jane Eyre disciplined by Aunt Reed |
Story: When orphaned governess Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) arrives at imposing Thornfield Hall, she's intrigued by her brooding wealthy employer, Rochester (Michael Fassbender). His dark moods and the strange occurrences in the house lead her to discover a terrible secret that he had hoped to hide from her forever. - from Amazon.com
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| Young Jane Eyre and Mr. Brocklehurst |
Script: The story is fairly faithful to the nature of Charlotte Bronte's original work but I'm unsure of whether she would have approved of their treatment of her most popular work. The film is written in a series of flashbacks. In the first scene we see Jane running from Thornfield Hall (which takes place at least half way through the book) and it isn't until she's wandered on the moors and found safety at the Rivers' house that we begin to see bits of her harsh childhood as though they were mere memories. Her time at Thornfield Hall is also shown as a longer flashback mingled with scenes of where Jane is "now" taking a teaching position offered by St.John Rivers. A lot of the original dialog has been either cut out or reinvented. Some of Jane Eyre's private thoughts are expressed verbally to various characters.
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| Mr. Rochester and Jane at Thornfield Hall |
Scenes: Dark and dreary for the most part, twinged with earthy shades of brown and beige instead of the traditional black and gray, evening scenes have a golden light to them. Sets are filled with great props and details, sometimes almost too many things are cluttered around. Thornfield Hall is rather amazing with all of it's grandeur and spaciousness but still dark and mysterious. There is a wildness about the outdoor scenes and a winter just turning to spring feel as well which adds to the romanticism and idea of hope dying and then springing new.
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| Jane Eyre - newly made |
Costumes: Although I'm not that knowledgeable about early Victorian costumes they did seem to suit the time era with lower waists on the gowns, tighter corseted bodices and lovely tucking details to the sleeves and bodices. All of Jane's gowns have a homespun feel to them and are in plain but respectable prints of black, gray and eventually brown. Her hairstyles are plain but very interesting and unfortunately not terrible becoming to the actress' face. I find Mr. Rochester's vests and hats a bit fanciful but they are I suppose suited to his wealth and station. Other characters are dressed according to their status. The one outfit I was very disappointed with was Jane's last outfit which is rather too fine for her, even though it's after her new found wealth has been discovered, it just doesn't suit her personality very well.
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| Jane Eyre at Thornfield Hall |
Music: The
soundtrack was composed by Dario Marianelli the same talented gentleman who composed the beautiful
Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack for
Pride & Prejudice (2005). The tracks are completely period and use the sometimes heart-wrenching but amazing music to add to what Jane is feeling and the atmosphere of scenes throughout the film. On the DVD there is a lovely extras interview with the director and composer where they explain that the exquisite violin music is specifically to represents the caged bird within Jane Eyre's soul and what joy when that bird is released and her spirits fly high! I'm really hoping to add this soundtrack to my collection some day!
Music Video: A selection from the official soundtrack, no photos.
This is a selection from the
Official Jane Eyre Soundtrack. This is my favorite track called
"Yes!" which is a very happy moment for Jane and the violin here is used to represents her inner feelings soaring. Video not owned by me but was uploaded by YouTube user
MistressFreya.
Actors In Their Roles: An all-star cast of up-and-coming actors fills the well known roles. This is one reason why I wanted to see this film and followed it's filming progress with interest.
- Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Reed - I was sure that the lady who had once played heroine Anne Elliot of Jane Austen's Persuasion would not be convincing in the role as Jane's rich and mean aunt - and I was right. I'm sorry to say that Sally Hawkins is too "pretty" to be Mrs. Reed and too affected in her speech to be believed.
- Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax - Although I adore Dame Judi in her many acting roles I'm still uncertain about her portrayal of this character and indeed the casting of her in this role. She is of course very capable but to my eyes more suited to the fine lady of a country house than to a hardworking housekeeper. She puts on a bit of a northern England accent which is fine, but when she says some of her lines you can tell that it's not a careworn housekeeper you're watching but an actress who has an infectious sense of humor underneath.
- Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre - I'd never seen Mia in a film before but I have been impressed because her talent has been raved about by so many. Her performance was not disappointing just different in some ways from what I had read of the character. Mia holds the character very well and captures the emotional depth, strength of character and intelligence which Jane Eyre possesses. She really is a little bit of a young woman but with such great talent that translates well to the character. Unfortunately the copper hair they gave her was not very becoming and her facial features don't say "Jane Eyre" to me. Not my favorite Jane Eyre but the actress has a wealth of talent!
- Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester - I had only seen Michael in one other film and although he's talented I didn't really like him that much and again in this role he was talented with a lot to like but I didn't really like him. By casting Michael Fassbender they chose a face that is similar to the description of "not handsome" which Jane gives in the book but his rather slight frame and facial features don't resemble Charlotte Bronte's description of Mr. Rochester.
- Imogen Poots as Blanche Ingram - When the news of a true-to-the-book dark haired Blanche Ingram reached most fans they were quite elated by the news. Having enjoyed Imogen Poot in Miss Austen Regrets I looked forward to her portrayal of this character and was only slightly disappointed because of the shortness of her scenes. She did an excellent job playing the stuck up miss who tries to entrap Mr. Rochester.
- Jamie Bell as St.John (Sinjon) Rivers - I've only seen Jamie Bell in a few other smaller roles so I wasn't sure how he would fit into the role but he actually did very well. As I watched his character interact with Jane Eyre and his sisters Mary and Diana I found myself liking him more and more. I've always liked Sinjon's character and his story even though it's a sad one. He is such a hard working and devout man but with a strictness that is sometimes dangerous. Jamie Bell did a great job in the role and *big spoiler*I almost wish Jane had chosen him over Mr. Rochester and that they had gone to India as missionaries.*end of spoiler*
- Tamzin Merchant & Holliday Grainger as Mary & Diana Rivers - I was particularly interested in these two young ladies and I greatly enjoyed their portrayals, fresh, sweet, friendly and very kind just like sisters to Jane. Tamzin you may remember from her role as Georgiana Darcy in Pride & Prejudice (2005). They added light and good humor to the film and I only wish they had more scenes!
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| Mr. Rochester plays with Blanche Ingram |
My Thoughts: Overall this film was just so-so. It's really not long enough to really develop the story and particularly the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester, which really needs to be done because they are such an odd match. When there isn't that time to develop their friendship then their attraction becomes very much a physical. Jane Eyre's childhood is run over very very briefly, her time at Thornfield Hall is barely begun before Mr. Rochester comes and seems to be immediately attracted to her and make demands on her time and almost on her person.
*spoiler*After their engagement is official Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre do quite a lot of kissing which I found unnecessary.
*spoiler* Mr. Rochester's past history and that of Adele's is so briefly run over that if you blink you'll miss it. Characters such as Richard Mason, Blanche Ingram and the Rivers are barely given time to have their stories understood. There are a few interesting conversations between Jane and Mr. Rochester (and also between Jane and St.John Rivers), some of which provide a bit of humor but on the whole they are re-invented dialog instead of quoted from the book. I would watch it again (I've watched it twice so far) but it's not my favorite adaptation.
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| Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester |
My Recommendations: I would not recommend this film for younger children because it is a sad and hard story. It's rated PG-13 for "thematic elements including a nude image and brief violent content". The "nude image" is a painting of an undressed woman which Jane Eyre sees briefly once and then runs her candle nearer for a longer look. For any one who has read and enjoyed the book you probably won't appreciate all the changes they've made and scenes they've excluded, but other fans won't want to miss this beautifully done period drama.
Trailer:
More Photos:
Have you seen Jane Eyre (2011)?
If you've seen it, what did you think of it?
Very Truly Your's,
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