Plot Summary
Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) has been brought up in a hostile, unloving environment, only to be sent to a even worse “charitable” school where she is treated very badly. She loses her only friend and lives a loveless life until she leaves the school for a governess position at 19.
She is to teach a young French girl at a house owned by Mr. Rochester, who is rarely ever home. She is happier here, even though she wishes for a more exciting life. And her life does get more exciting with the appearance of her boss Mr. Rochester. (Michael Fassbender)
Mr. Rochester is mysterious, unpredictable, charismatic and challenging. Yet he finds his match in Jane, who is quite clever, quick to retort and can give unique perspectives on everything. A bond forms between them, a bond that is filled with chemistry and attraction. Yet Jane is sure Rochester would rather marry a prettier girl with a different background. However Rochester is his own man, and he would rather follow his heart than conform to society.
But when Rochester’s secret comes out, will Jane be able to follow her heart, rejecting her own beliefs?
**
My Thoughts
Jane Eyre is a deliciously dark romantic/drama, staying true to the spirit of Brontë sisters. Jane Eyre is yet another adaptation of the famous novel (Jane Eyre), written by Charlotte Brontë.
Sure, at times it is slow and depressing. But the slow and depressing moments help us understand Jane, feel for and get in the mood of the film. Some parts at the Rochester house feels like we are in some gothic thriller, and a part of me wished this had been a looser adaptation where Rochester’s secret could be more supernatural.
I also wish some scenes were more intense. It is rated PG-13, and I wish it had pushed the limits a little further. The movie stayed true to Charlotte Brontë, and the spirit of period movies. Yet I believe that the mood set could make up for more daring scenes- and t could have been done without really betraying the book or the PG-13 limits.
Apart from the occasional slowness and the “romantic” limitations between the characters, I loved the movie. I have nothing against the current 7.8 user rating on IMDB. However, I rated it a 7. I need to be honest with you, as much as I loved the film, Michael Fassbender’s acting has a lot to do with it. I don’t think it would have been the same with another actor.
To me, Fassbender (Eric/Magneto from X-Men First Class) brings a raw intensity to his emotional scenes –in a similar fashion with the English actor Ralph Fiennes. Just as Fiennes was perfect as Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights, Fassbender is the right Rochester.
Should you see it?
Unless you have something against well-done period romantic dramas, you SHOULD NOT MISS this version. But I believe that men who don’t have a soft spot for classic romantic literature, and men who need to see an alluring actress in the leading role should so stay away from this film. After all, Jane is as plain as they come, with a ridiculous (albeit historically appropriate) hairstyle.
Trailer:
[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8PLpXvhtlc[/pro-player]
Cast Notes:
– Mia Wasikowska did a wonderful job in the Oscar-nominated 2010 drama/comedy The Kids Are All Right. She played the teenage daughter of the lesbian couple, portrayed by Annette Bening & Julianne Moore. She also played Alice in Tim Burton’s 2010 version of Alice in Wonderland.
– English actor Jamie Bell, who you might remember from Jumper and Billy Elliott, plays St John – the young man who finds Jane Eyre in the beginning of the movie.
– In the upcoming period drama/thriller A Dangerous Method, Michael Fassbender plays Carl Jung- whose relationship with Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) doesn’t go smoothly when Jung starts being romantically involved with his patient (Keira Knightley).
– Veteran actress Judi Dench plays the housekeeper in Jane Eyre.