As an avid reader and fan of Victorian literature, I was thrilled to learn that Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre was being made into a film that would be released in theaters, March 11.
For several months my excitement built only to be crushed when the scheduled release date came and went. The film was not being shown in Fresno, or anywhere within 200 miles.
However, my hopes were revived when I learned the movie would be released in Fresno, April 22.
Much to my surprise, rather than starting the story at the beginning, the film actually began in the middle with Jane (Mia Wasikowska) wandering through a field in the middle nowhere. After progressing a little from there, the story commences from the beginning with Jane as a child.
Following the death of her parents, Jane is left in the care of her aunt and uncle. After her uncle, who she believes is her only blood relative, dies, she left with her aunt and three badly behaved cousins.
After around ten years of being neglected and harassed, Jane is sent to Lowood School, where she endures harsh conditions including beatings, isolation and starvation.
When she leaves Lowood, Jane takes a post at Thornfield Hall as a governess for a young girl named Adele (Romy Settbon Moore). After working at Thornfield for several months she finally meets her employer, Edward Fairfax Rochester (Michael Fassbender).
On the first night of his visit, it becomes apparent that Rochester and Jane are going to have a very unique relationship. Rochester, being sardonic, burly and dominant, is used to having people submit to his physical and intellectual superiority without challenging him, but Jane returns his harsh remarks with equally witty responses.
The relationship between Jane and Rochester reveals itself to be distinct, unorthodox and a little confusing. The factor that makes their relationship the most peculiar is probably the fact that Jane is around 18 and Rochester is somewhere between 35 and 40. Jane’s youth and innocence stand as a stark contrast to Rochester’s rough age and rough background.
The filmmakers did an excellent job portraying the relationship between Jane and Rochester. They made it believable without it being too cheesy, although some of the lines bordered on being sappy.
One of my favorite aspects of the film was the music. The film score was piano-driven and had a melancholy tone that suited the movie’s themes without overdramatizing the scenes.
The film was well-acted, though not outstanding. The actors made their characters believable and were adorned in exceptional costumes that were true to the time period. In addition to this, the scenery was very impressive. Scenes of Jane wandering through fields in the middle of nowhere were dramatic and beautiful.
My biggest complaint is that a certain scene that I felt was important in the character development of Mr. Rochester was left out. Obviously, everything can not be in the movie, but I was still sad to see it left out.
Jane Eyre surpassed my expectations. For only having a two hour run time, the movie was comprehensive of the novels themes and I would recommend this movie to anyone who has read the book or anyone who enjoys movies set in that time period.
Jane Eyre is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements including a nude image and brief violent content. The film runs at 121 minutes. Jane Eyre is no longer playing in Fresno; visit Fandango for the nearest theater location.
