When looking for the quintessentially gothic tale, one need look no further than Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel, Jane Eyre. For one hundred and sixty-four years Bronte’s novel has captured the imagination of readers the world over. In addition to its social commentary and moody, atmospheric romance, Bronte’s novel survives and thrives because of the strength of its eponymous heroine. As with many of the lasting works of 19th century female authors, it is to be expected that every so often a new set of writers and film makers will bring their own interpretation of it to the big screen. Don’t misunderstand me, I couldn’t be more happy. I like a good period film.
I had every intention of seeing this film in theaters when it was released in March, but the road of good intentions did not lead me to the box office. And so the family made an extremely rare trip to the local video store on Friday night to bring Jane home for visit.
It was a wise choice.
Jane Eyre is a starkly beautiful, moody film overflowing with an atmosphere of gothic romanticism. The nuanced performances are subtly effective in building sense of unease and foreboding, even for those well-versed with Bronte’s plot.
Director Cary Fukunaga, screenwriter Moira Buffini, and cinematographer Adriano Goldman come together to create a darkly beautiful interpretation of Charlotte Bronte’s beloved novel. As my eyes were tantalized by the austere English countryside and cold, forbidding homes and my ears were being treated to a pitch perfect score by Dario Marianelli I could not help but feel pangs of regret that I did not see this on an enormous screen with digital surround sound. It really is a beautiful film both to see and to hear.
I have not read Jane Eyre (but oddly enough knew the main plot of the story from Jasper Fforde’s novel, The Eyre Affair) but in looking at it, it appears to be a fairly dense novel. I would imagine that purists would argue that a miniseries would be required for a faithful adaptation of the book. Given the varying ways the novel has been adapted, I was pleased that this film journeyed down a darker path. Director Cary Fukunaga stated:
“I’ve spent a lot of time rereading the book and trying to feel out what Charlotte Brontë was feeling when she was writing it. That sort of spookiness that plagues the entire story… there’s been something like 24 adaptations, and it’s very rare that you see those sorts of darker sides. They treat it like it’s just a period romance, and I think it’s much more than that.”
I am happy with the choice.
Back in winter when I first witnessed the trailer I questioned the choice of Mia Wasikowska for the lead, not through any fault of her own but merely because she did not have a great deal of experience. My slight doubts were answered with a powerful heartfelt performance that showcased the strength and determination of Bronte’s creation. Michael Fassbender was fantastic as the mercurial Rochester and Dame Judy Dench took a decidedly low-key role as Mrs. Fairfax. I may have been most impressed at how Dench managed to not overwhelm the lesser known cast. Brilliantly acted and directed. I couldn’t imagine better choices, particularly for Jane Eyre herself.
Dario Marianelli’s score for the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite film scores. He works his magic again here with a score that is impressive not just because of the music he created but also because of where he and Fukunaga chose not to use any background music whatsoever. I think Marianelli is at his very best when it is the piano alone that is underscoring the moment on the screen and there is a particularly beautiful quiet moment in this film where Jane is walking between a wall and a hedge and the subtle piano music combined with her body language expresses the emotion of the scene in a way that words never could.
If you are looking for a wonderfully melancholy and beautifully moody work of celluloid art, you cannot go wrong with Jane Eyre. It is a worthy adaptation of a much loved classic novel and one I look forward to viewing again.
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This film is a selection for the Peril on the Screen portion of the 6th annual R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (R.I.P.) Challenge. To find out more information and/or to sign up to participate, please follow the link. If you are interested in more books or films that are being reviewed as part of this event, please visit the R.I.P. VI Review Site.
My fiancee wants to see this in the cinema, and after your review I’ll put up much less of a resistance to go with her 😛 Thanks for the review 🙂
Jamie, this would be worth watching just for the scenery and the music. Hope you enjoy.
This sounds fantastic. Jane Eyre is by far my favorite of the Brontes’ novels. Thanks for the review!
I hope you can see it soon Amy. I would really be interested in hearing the opinion of people who have actually read the book. My wife and daughter both had and they really enjoyed this film.
I’ve read the novel two or three times, but you know – I’d forgotten all about this film. It’s going on the list…which by the end of this challenge is going to consist of more novels and stories and movies than I could hope to read in a year.
I am in the exact same place Ellen. While watching football yesterday I visited all the reviews from the Review Site that I hadn’t gotten to and I found myself repeatedly going to Amazon to add things to my wishlist. 🙂
I’ve not read any Bronte .. but I do like period movies. I’ll keep this one in mind!
I think you would enjoy this one, Pat. It has the gothic moodiness of the books that I know you enjoy.
I’m a big Jane Eyre fan so of course I saw it as soon as I could. I liked the film a lot. It was very atmospheric. The most true adaptation I’ve seen so far though is the 2006 mini-series.
I didn’t even know there was a mini-series, Chris. LOL. And that does make sense. More time usually means the opportunity to work in detail of the novel. I feel that way about the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, which is wonderful. However, over the years I’ve developed a greater fondness for the Keira Knightley version.
Do you think Keri and I would enjoy this? Honetly what do you think? It’s sounds kinda depressing. Is it too dark do you think for us?
No, it isn’t too dark at all. And it isn’t wildly tragic or anything so I do think you would both enjoy it. It has nice romantic elements in the later part of the film that you will like and up until that time it is brooding in a “something is not quite right here” kind of way that will keep your attention.
Cool. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear it is done well. I’ve been wanting to see it but like you didn’t make it out to the theater to see it.
As I mentioned, I’m kicking myself now for not doing so. Man I would have loved to see that bleak countryside on the big screen.
Having read and loved Jane Eyre, and having seen what I consider to be a better (and far more faithful) adaptation of it (with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson), this one fell short for me, sadly. They just deviated from the book so often, cutting stuff out and adding random things in, and changing personalities. :/
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it Amanda. I am sure I’ll watch the Toby Stephens one at some point. I have enjoyed him in other films I’ve seen him in. My biggest objection to seeing it is that Ruth Wilson plays such a horrible psychopath in the tv series Luther that I’m not sure I could get my head wrapped around rooting for her in Jane Eyre. I’ll definitely have to wait awhile.
I felt similarly about the Knightely version of Pride and Prejudice when I saw it the first time in theaters. I couldn’t stop comparing it to the BBC version which felt more faithful. But the production values and emotion of it and the wonderful performances eventually sucked me in and now it is my favorite adaptation.
I’ve not seen Ruth Wilson in anything else, but I can say she does a fabulous job in that particular adaptation. She’s plain and reserved but strong. It’s just perfect and incredibly faithful to the book. 🙂
She does a great job in Luther too. She’s just so scary!
I’m with Amanda on this one. I believe in addition to the Stevens-Wilson version there may have been a mini-series done for Brit TV (Granada, perhaps?).
They seem to make a new version of this every few years if you look at the film list for “Jane Eyre” on IMDB, LOL. Which again, doesn’t surprise me and I am not complaining. I often wish there were more (different) books like Jane Eyre and Jane Austen’s works which would be adapted by quality film makers.
I can’t wait to see this movie. And now that I finally read the book I can. It is hard to imagine that Judy Dench did not outshine the rest, not that I think she would try but she is such a powerful actor. I love her work.
That is right, you did read the book recently. Hopefully you will enjoy the film since it sounds like it isn’t an entirely faithful adaptation (though I imagine it got most of the big plot points right).
Part of the thing with Dench is that it isn’t a large role, but it is more than that. She didn’t have a large role in Pride and Prejudice but when she was on screen, she was ON SCREEN. Here she is important but her role is more subtle and I didn’t find myself thinking “there’ Judy Dench on screen” every time she was around. I love her, don’t get me wrong, but I am most impressed with the way she handled this role, or at least they way that her acting spoke to me.
I did read the book. One Gothic book that you haven’t read. So I am adding this one to your list. I’m used to movies not following the book. I’m not always happy with it, but I’m used to it.
I’ll let you know what I think when I get my hands on a copy.
And I loved her in Pride and Prejudice.
Oh, so turnabout is fair play, eh? I probably would have already read it by now except once I learned the ending from Fforde’s book it was less of a priority. I imagine I would find it to my liking, though.
I really enjoyed this movie. I loved the mood, all the little period details, and the simplicity of the surroundings. I do wish a couple areas had been flushed out more like her time at school and then after she had to leave Rochester’s, but I still liked what was done with each even if I thought it too short. I too liked the actors. Judi Dench adapts herself so well into her parts. This particular character reminded me a bit of her work on Cranford (aired on PBS). It is amazing how her acting can either completely take over the screen or be so subtle you almost forget she is there.
I agree there are areas that could have been expanded, and yet it was still a full two hour film and as such I think they did a really nice job of incorporating her past and present into the film while crafting a movie that was all about creating a specific mood and focusing on, as the director said, the more gothic and dark elements.
Judy Dench is wonderful. I first fell in love with her work watching As Time Goes By. Still one of my favorite BBC shows. It is funny and warm and touching all at the same time.
As Time Goes By was the first I had seen Judi Dench. It seems like her film career really picked up from there or maybe I just suddenly knew who she was? She never ceases to amaze me in everything I’ve seen since.
Me either, she is an incredible actress. As Time Goes By is a series I would like to own someday. Would love to rewatch it from start to finish.
I really want to see this. I finally read the book this year, so it seems fitting to watch the movie.
It sounds like you should watch a couple of the versions and see how you feel they compare to the book. I’m beginning to feel like I’m the only one who hasn’t read the book. LOL!
I felt like that until earlier this year… Now I really must read Wuthering Heights…
That is another I haven’t read. Nor have I seen any kind of film adaptation. Honestly know nothing about the story except the name Heathcliff.
Same… Two months is not enough time to read everything that I would really like to read, you know…. In November I want to move on to World War-type books because I have so many on my TBR that I haven’t read. So, I really want to get some other stuff done so I can concentrate on that!
I’ll still be reading LOTR stuff in November and I’m really leaning towards maybe a re-read of Neverwhere too. Both Neil and I have November birthdays, so it seems like a fitting birthday present to us both. 🙂
Yes, I will hopefully still be reading LOTR, too, but that’s different. Neverwhere was a really good book! One of my favourites by Gaiman. 🙂
It will probably always be my favorite Gaiman novel. It was the first novel of his that I read and there is just something about those characters and that story which excites me every time I read it. Those characters, even the baddies, are like old friends that I have to ask over every so often or I miss them too much.
There have been several movie adapations and TV mini-series of JANE EYRE. This latest movie version is my favorite. It captures the moodiness of the novel without getting mired in too much emotion.
Great description, George. I didn’t feel like they overdid anything. They didn’t tug too hard on the heartstrings nor did they make it overly moody to the point of being depressing. They balanced mood and emotion very well.
I think it is impossible to cover the whole story in 2 hours. That is why the mini-series is able to be more faithful to the entire story. When you take a book of this length and cover the plot in 2 hours, you have to make a choice to concentrate heavily on a specific aspect of the story. While half the book seems to take place at the school, we only see a few flashbacks of that time in the movie. I however, was very pleased with the movie. They made a choice to concentrate heavily on Jane’s time at Thornfield Hall and give us a few glimpses of her past to bring us up to speed. I really liked the way the characters were handled, and although, I would have liked for a few things to have remained true to the story (e.g., the Rivers were actually Jane’s cousins and the nephew and nieces of the uncle who left the fortune), I really look forward to seeing it again.
I have a feeling we are going to need to own this one at some point, although I’d rather get it on blu-ray (I think). I’m still not entirely sure I like what blu ray does. I actually like the look of the now defunct HD DVD format better.
Anyway, I’m glad you and Tori enjoyed the movie as you had both liked the book. I personally am glad for the decreased focus on the school days simply because that is not the movie I would want to see. I like seeing enough of her past to give us an idea of how strong she was even as a child and how rough her circumstances were, but I prefer the focus on her adult years and this period of time working at the house.
I love your mention of the score in your review. A good movie score often goes unnoticed becasue it fits like a glove, and they do not get their fair due.
I had not seen this version as of yet. As you have pointed out, they are bit a like a bus. If you miss one, just wait and another will come along.
What has motivated me to put this on our rental queue is that it moves along to her adult years a bit more than others you have seen.
Thanks for the great review!
(Hello there, I finally found my way to your blog).
I had a small Jane Eyre obsession last autumn and ever since the first trailer was released I was desperate to go see this movie. Unfortunately, it still hasn’t been released here. But I do hope I get to see it this fall. I have high expectations and I am afraid I will be disappointed seeing as some people seem to love it and others are completely disappointed with it. I am hopeful to see another positive review out here.
I certainly hope you enjoy it. I think in part it might be a case of what your past experience is with book to film adaptations and what you expect these to be. In some ways this is why I like seeing films first, although it is usually the other way ’round. Having seen and really enjoyed the film I can now read the book and it will just fill in gaps and give me more. I had the same experience with the LOTR films and books. And if you get a chance to see it in the fall that is wonderful.
Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books of all time, and I am a BIG fan of the British mini-series with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson. Though both are a bit too attractive to play the characters, such is cinema I suppose! I haven’t heard great things in the press about this adaptation, but I really enjoy watching Michael Fassbender on screen, and anything with Judi Dench in is ok with me! Thanks for the great review, I’ll definitely be giving this a watch.
p.s. Like many Brits I can’t stand Keira Knightley, so I couldn’t get on with the latest Pride and Prejudice at all.
I understand your feelings (though I love KK). I have actors and actresses that I feel the same way about. Like I said in one of my comments, I’m not sure I would enjoy the one with Ruth Wilson in it because she doesn’t look right for the part to me and I associate her with much more sinister things now.
I checked Rotten Tomatoes, just out of curiosity. 116 positives and 19 negatives. That is pretty good odds. But like anything else we all have our preferences. I am most fond of this version because of the mood it set, the look and feel of it, and the score. Also very pleased with the acting, but the surroundings they were in made me a believer.
I haven’t see the new X-Men film so I am looking forward to seeing Fassbender act in that one. I’ve heard its fun.
Xmen is really fun. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender make an interesting pairing…I have high hopes for the franchise!
That is great to hear. I wanted to catch it in theaters but there was just way too much going on and I didn’t get around to it.
I liked the movie because it’s Jane Eyre for Pete’s sake! But, it was not my favorite adaption…perhaps it was my mood but I found it a little too overly dramatic for what I believe is Jane Eyre. I like how they decided to work backwards with the plot, though! But some of the scenes that I love were missing (the fortune telling scene…come on), and I felt like the story moved a little fast in the romance parts. As for the cinematography, it was beautiful and the music was beautiful, and the atmosphere was quite creepier than any other adaptation I’ve seen. I enjoyed those parts quite a lot! And the acting was great, too. I just don’t agree with the pacing.
I don’t have any others to compare it to, so the pacing worked well for me. I too found it interesting how they went back and forth in time on occasion, showing relevant scenes from her childhood interspersed with what was currently happening. And I too loved the creepy elements. Even though I already knew the ending it didn’t stop me from feeling the suspense and the build up.
I was unconvinced that Jane Eyre needed another remake. But I’m willing now that I see that you found much to admire about this version.
Other than the things I already mentioned that for me made this worth watching, Mia Wasikowska was incredible. I was reading Roger Ebert’s review this afternoon and he wrote: “Mia Wasikowska, from Australia, is a relative newcomer who must essentially carry “Jane Eyre,” and succeeds with restraint, expressing a strong moral compass”. And he is right. She does have to carry the film and the weight of the film rests comfortably on her slender shoulders and she carries it off beautifully. Most impressive.
Annie and I read this together a few years ago. I was definitely surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. Not that I was head-over-heels in love with it, but it was fun. I think I’ll be heading right over to netflix to add this to the queue, something I probably wouldn’t have considered if not for your review! You sold me with the fact that they took a darker path than other adaptations.
This is a good late night mother and daughter film, to be sure. Lots of mood, lots of atmosphere. If you could watch it on a dark and stormy night, all the better!
I thought she did a terrific job in this film, which was a great adaptation. She is certainly an actress to watch. Her role on IN TREATMENT was the highlight of that series. I took me years before I really “got” Jane Eyre. Now I regard it as one of the finest books in English.
She was great, wasn’t she Patti? Actually I thought she was great in Alice in Wonderland as well. She is not a conventional Hollywood actress and she has chosen some interesting if not always commercially viable roles and I like that about her. She still feels like a newcomer despite being in some high profile films and she sheds her beauty in this film for a role that she ultimately makes very beautiful indeed, transforming Jane because of her personality and not because of an “ugly duckling to swan” makeover. She deserves some accolades come awards time.
This is one of my favorite books of ever and ever and Mia has really grown on me through my million watchings of Alice in Wonderland so I don’t know why I haven’t seen this yet! I’ll get on it. 🙂
I’ve only seen Alice the one time, when it was out in theaters. Need to watch it again.
I mostly enjoyed this film, but unfortunately my experience was slightly tainted by the retirees in back of me who didn’t seem to know to stop talking when the film was playing! I was amused, however, by the number of people in the audience who didn’t seem to know what the story was, as evidenced by a large number of gasps.
It’s been a while since I’ve read the book, so I was spared any detailed ‘faithfulness’ comparisons, and thought it quite a good job. Thank you for pointing out that the soundtrack is by Dario Marianelli–I absolutely love his P&P soundtrack.
That is too bad. I don’t mind it when kids talk in kids movies, but adults should know better, especially the older set.
I’m holding off re-reading The Hobbit for those very same faithfulness reasons. I figure I’ll enjoy the movies much more not knowing how they deviate until AFTER I’ve seen it. 🙂
Yes, isn’t that P&P soundtrack wonderful?
Excellent point regarding The Hobbit. I’ve been wanting to re-read it, but maybe it would be better if I don’t until after the movies come out!
And the Jane Eyre soundtrack is wonderful too–I’ve been listening to it ever since I read this post.
I will have to check it out.
Well, I was going to wait till the movie came out on regular cable, but now I’ll have to go buy the DVD. Nice review. I’m a big Bronte fan. I think Jane Eyre is a great book to read for this time of year. The horror of Jane’s younger life, the poverty, the pain, the isolation. Here be the real monsters.
Yes, I agree. Heck last year I was reading Roald Dahl’s autobiography, Boy, and he made his school days sound like there were a living hell at times. Much scarier than ghosts and things that go bump in the night.
I love Jane Eyre and I loved this film (in fact it “inspired” my first on-going blog event, ‘All Things Jane’), I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Much like the Keira Knightley version of Pride & Prejudice, I feel like this film took the essence, much of the heart of the novel and gloriously displayed it on-screen (though I am quite, QUITE fond of the BBC Toby Stephens/Ruth Wilson miniseries several other commenters referenced as well). Well said!
I noticed your All Things Jane icon with Mia’s face on it when I was over at your blog today. I almost mentioned in my comment on your L.M. Montgomery post that I had seen and liked this. Glad you came over and saw the review.
I certainly can’t say whether or not it captured the essence of the novel, but it felt like the kind of film that would do so, if that makes any sense. And again given the constraints on a movie-length version of such a large book vs. a mini-series it only makes sense. I’m sure I’ll watch the Stephens/Wilson version at some point. I just need more time to pass so that I can stop picturing Wilson as a conniving psychopath.
That makes perfect sense to me! 🙂 And given Wilson’s turn in Luther, I’m awfully glad I saw her first in the Jane Eyre miniseries!
Probably a good idea. To her credit I think she does an excellent acting job in Luther and I enjoy her character. I’ll just need to have some distance from that for awhile before I can accept her as Jane. At the moment I would be watching expecting Jane Eyre to craftily murder everyone and somehow get away with it. 😉
I saw this one in the theatre and loved it. The beautiful shots of England were so haunting. I have read the book and love it too and of courseFforde’s The Eyre Affair only added to my appreciation of the original book.
Sure, rub it in! 🙂 LOL! Some day I’ll have a giant screen and will catch it on Blu ray and try to recreate the theater experience.
Wasn’t The Eyre Affair fun?!?!
I love, love,love Jane Eyre. It is one of my most favorite books and is on My Must Read list for my children…hopefully one day they will read the book. I have such fond memories of my first experience with Jane Eyre and that is with my sister when she stayed overnight at my house for a few nights and we watched the A&E version. She then purchased the book and movie for me for a gift. I eventually read the book and loved it more than the movie.
I went on to watch several movie versions to compare and am now very much looking forward to watching this one. I wanted to see it in the theatre but it was not local enough.
I wrote a post about the different versions. you may take a look if you are curious. http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2008/10/jane-eyre-movie.html
I must warn you though, the post was written in 2008 and my writing, i do believe, has improved since then.
I should obtain this movie and make plans for my sister and I to watch it sans kids.
That would be fun for you and your sister to do together. It would mean so much more.
I will definitely check out your post, thanks for the link.
Such an excellent book Jane Eyre is and I will never tire of re-reading it. I haven’t watched this adaptation of the book. I hope to do it soon 🙂
One day the siren call will be too much and I’ll finally pick up the book and read it. Hope you enjoy this when you get a chance to see it.
Having seen a lot of “meh” style reactions to this film, Carl V., I’m glad to hear that you found it worth watching. I sometimes make fun of the Brit penchant for “governess literature,” but a “melancholy” and “beautifully moody” film is usually A-OK with me.
Given that it has gotten so many positive reviews on places like Rotten Tomatoes I was surprised to hear that there were so many so-so reactions. All I can attest to is that I liked it a lot and will be watching it again.
This does sound like a great film adaptation. Nice review Carl. I have yet to read the book so I haven’t watched the film yet. Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite books, and I do need to read Jane Eyre one day. These Bronte sisters had a knack for telling Gothic stories.
I thought it was very nicely done, of course I haven’t read the book, LOL! As a film though it was great. If you are a film fan maybe you want to watch this before reading the book. 😉
It’s been many, many years since I read the book and, it seems, I saw an earlier movie version years ago.
My daughter got this from RedBox recently and loved it, too. I think I must insist my husband add it to his NetFlix queue!
It is well worth watching, especially if you are getting it from Redbox or Netflix. A very well crafted film.
I love Jane Eyre and never would have thought about it for the RIP challenge. Can’t wait to see this latest adaptation. I haven’t found one that I love yet.
From all I’ve read about it, Jane Eyre has that gothic atmosphere that makes it perfect for a R.I.P. read. I hope you enjoy this film, I am anxious to see it again.
I have been remiss in not renting this one sooner. I meant to see this in the theaters and completely missed it – movies tend to only be in theaters for a short period even if they are received well. Jumping onto Netflix now…
For me, nothing can compare with the 1943 black and white version with Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles, which I watched every time it was on T.V. back in the 60’s. I understand Welles also assisted in the direction (whether invited to or not). Of course, this was BC (before cable) and many wonderful old movies were shown on television then. It’s a classic, and I don’t think it can be improved on. I know I’m old and set in my ways, but this is the version of the film I want to remember. It’s available on Netflix and Amazon. You might want to check it out.
Jane Eyre is my favorite book, and I’ll never forget the impression it made the first time I read it.