22 May 2012

Not the best Jane Eyre movie

This movie evokes a great gothic mood and the outdoors shots are wonderful. The rest is forgettable. Presenting the movie in flashbacks is most likely very confusing for those viewers who did not read the book. There is not enough spunk in the portrayal of Jane and Rochester is too beautiful and flirty. The ending is chopped off and leaves one very disappointed. I much prefer the 70's production with George C. Scott and Susannah York, or the 1997 one with Samantha Morton and Ciaran Hinds.

Movie_Muse_Reviews

21 May 2012

Visually masterful and authentic performances, a nice change for period drama

Charlotte Brontë's seminal literary work "Jane Eyre" has been adaptedcountless times and prepared in a myriad of ways from the 1943 JoanFontaine/Orson Welles version that was whittled to an hour and a halfto the 1983 BBC mini-series with Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton thatspans five-plus hours. That certainly begs the question of why anyone,from writer Moira Buffini to director Cary Fukunaga to Dame Judi Dench,would feel inspired to recreate this coming-of-age story about love andaccepting its blemishes.Fukunaga's ("Sin Nombre") take doesn't exactly provide an amazingrevelation or epiphanic justification for bringing "Jane Eyre" back tolife, but it does prove that no classic can be so overdone that itbecomes untouchable; even the most tried and dated of love stories canfind new life. Fukanaga has given "Jane Eyre" a photorealistic makeoverdevoid of frills and fiercely au naturel, but no less gripping than thestory's "livelier" retellings.Fictional period dramas often feel overtly pristine and glazed over tothe point of fairytale, but in watching this film, you get the sensethat this is quite possibly how the story would have looked and felt ifit had been true. All the way down to accents, this rendition hasclearly labored over historical authenticity and it shows in thefinished product.Mia Wasikowska ("The Kids Are All Right") continues to choose spot-onindependent films despite leading the billion-dollar "Alice inWonderland" of 2010 and it continues to pay off. She's clearly adept atembodying literary characters, or at least at recreating them withinherself rather than worrying about trying to become the way themajority perceives them. Her modest looks suit Jane perfectly and shecan play both the fragile girl who has been so often wronged by thosewho were supposed to care for her and the somewhat self-assured youngwoman who so plainly understands right from wrong.Buffini ("Tamara Drewe") tells "Jane Eyre" in an un-narrated flashback.The film opens with Jane dashing away from the spectre of theThornfield estate and stumbling through the beautifully captured butcold and desolate English countryside in a state of total anguish. Shearrives at the Rivers' place where they enquire as to her identity. Asthe voice of Mr. Rochester (Michael Fassbender) beckons her, she cannotblock out the memories of her journey. The film then catches up to thatpoint in real time and continues on to the end.Other than a terrific performance from Amelia Clarkson as young Jane,the early chapters involving Lowood School seem to be of lesssignificance in this version other than the very clear point toestablish Mr. Brocklehurst as an insensitive headmaster and clearlyspell out Jane's early traumas that have affected her perspective. Thelove story between Jane and Mr. Rochester and the way it affects Janetakes supreme precedence in this film and with a two- hour run time,rightfully so. Nevertheless, the short beginnings prevent the film fromshowing the whole scope of Jane's troubled life.Fassbender and Wasikowska work terrifically and manage to communicatethe class and age discrepancy that made "Jane Eyre" a juicy read backin the 19th Century. Fassbender does seem to let Rochester's guard downquicker than expected, but I enjoyed his choice to be less standoffishand more brooding; he determines his secret to be more a responsibilityof an unfortunate nature than a loathsome burden. His love for Janethen feels more sincere.An actress as magnetizing as Judi Dench choosing to play the caretakerMrs. Fairfax sums up the humble attitude of this "Jane Eyre." She usesher gravitas to the effect of being the film's lone comic relief andcomplements the scenes rather than stealing them from Wasikowska, whois 55 years her junior.The film itself aims for subtlety and chooses not to amp up the shockvalue of the story's most pivotal scenes. There's some manufacturedsuspense, but it's mostly natural. It ends up being the mostcommendable aspect of Fukunaga's vision, but maybe the most hamperingas well. He creates exceptional tone and mood with the help of hiswonderful cast and this seizes our interest, but his "Jane" never takesa chance with any emotional punches. A superbly crafted film, just nota resonant one.~Steven C

17 May 2012

Absolutely PERFECT

I am a HUGE fan of Bronte and have seen and own every version of Jane Eyre that has been done. This movie by far HANDS DOWN is #1. I went to see it 5 times when it came to a teeny tiny little theater in Washington DC. It was very limited release, but I hunted for it until I found it! It was the only theater in the DC area that had it (E Street Cinemas on 11th street and E downtown Washington DC). That theater is amazing by the way..and if anyone is in DC and wants to see some amazing foreign or independent films you came to the right place. Be prepared to pay $10 for parking in their parking garage unless you luck out and find a spot on the street!. The actors in this film draw you in and the theater was silent the entire time except for when EVERYONE cracked up laughing at some great British dry humor. Rochester was so HOT! Oh Michael I love you!! Oh man was he absolutely amazing! Jane was played by an amazing actress. I had seen Mia in "The kids are alright" and she is quite a wonderful actress who has a big career ahead of her!. Jamie Bell as St John, Tamzin Merchant as Mary (she played Georgiana Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightly), Sally Hawkins plays a very cruel Mrs. Reed most incredibly (she played Ann in the new BBC Masterpiece Persuasion)...and then put Judi Dench (PERFECTION) in the role of Mrs. Fairfax and now you have a PERFECT cast to play in this adaptation of my most favorite book of all time! BUY THIS MOVIE..you will not be dissapointed! What an incredible love story! I dragged husband to it once and he even liked it...but he rolled his eyes alot haha. It followed the book really well..with just a few minor changes that didnt detract at all. The biggest change from the book is that they made The Rivers family... Janes Cousins and in that book that is not the case...that really was strange, but actually worked okay..just not expecting it. Blanche Ingram was not used to make Jane jealous, and they kind of made alot of her character dissapear of sorts. OVerall I was thrilled with the movie and I have never in my life seen a movie 5 times at the theater..so that should tell you something.

17 May 2012

A Disappointment

Jane Eyre one of my favorite books ever, but it's adapted very frequently for film and stage. The last screen adaptation was the 2006 BBC version that was a stand out for me. But generally I think that unless a filmmaker has something special to do or say about this particular work, Hollywood might be wise to look to other classics for adaptation. However I'd heard excellent things about the most recent big screen version of Jane Eyre and after listening to an interview with the director on NPR in which he promised his new film played up the gothic elements of the story in a way that other versions hadn't, I had hopes that while it wasn't strictly necessary it might be darn good.It's not. Not that it's terrible, it's just "blah". Mia Wasikowska was miscast as Jane. For one thing she's too pretty for the role. For another I didn't get much sense of an inner life. Not that it was bad acting per se. She smiled at the right moments and cried at the right moments, but really I got no indication of an actual personality from her Jane. Michael Fassbender was OK as Mr Rochester but nothing special. The biggest problem there is that he and Mia have very little chemistry together. Also he proposes after what seems to be three conversations. We don't get any sense of any relationship there because most of significant events are left out. If I hadn't read the book I'd have no idea why Blanche Ingram was there to begin with! I did like Judi Dench as Mrs Fairfax and Sally Hawkins as Aunt Reed. But Mrs Fairfax and Aunt Reed shouldn't be my favorite characters! Small choices made by the the filmmakers bothered me. For example, When Mr Rochester proposes to Jane the whole part with the lightening striking the tree is left out. Bye bye foreshadowing. Another thing I disliked was that the whole first half was told in flashback while Jane was with St John Rivers and his sisters. I was hoping that the purpose of this was to cut down on the time that was devoted to a fairly dull, but necessary for plot, part of the story. But no. Even after the flashbacks end, bringing us back to the "present" we still need to see Jane with the Rivers' family for a while longer. And then, when she leaves (talking to Mr. Rochester's voice which she hears in the air, and looking like a lunatic) her return to Thornfield and to Mr Rochester is brushed over in about five minutes. When Pride and Prejudice was adapted in 2005 I complained that looked more Bronte than Austen with it's wild, windswept moors. Well this looks more Austen than Bronte. Thornfield is a well lit house, and gardens are perfectly manicured (I thought the director said he was playing up the gothic elements!). It's worth a watch on DVD, don't get me wrong. It's not a terrible adaptation and it's pretty to look at. But I've seen much better.

16 May 2012

Lacking chemistry in this Jane Eyre version

This review is from: Jane Eyre (DVD) Very disappointed! The main actors are all great actors, but I found that the director did not use them accordingly. I found this movie very boring and even though I'm a huge fan of the book, I don't mind loose versions, but this one is too incomplete, missing important parts and characters of the book, so why to name the film "Jane Eyre"?. In my opinion the main problem is the lack of chemistry between Mia and Michael. I saw this DVD three times to see if I was wrong, but still, you don't feel the chemistry of the two main characters and without that, there is not Jane Eyre. If you want a good version, with actors that make you feel like you are really leaving the story and that they care deeply about each other then buy the 2007 Masterpiece Theatre version with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson. To me that is the best version.

15 May 2012

TERRIBLE adaptation... if you love the book

You just cannot do this book in two hours - that's the most important thing to remember here. The feel of the film is RUSHED. Rushed, rushed, rushed. It's like viewing a dramatization of the CliffsNotes OF CliffsNotes of the novel. Seriously. It was like listening to an excited five year old tell you EVERYTHING about a wonderful day at the zoo. A jumble of elements rushing past you. I'm guilty of dearly loving the book - I read it recently - that did NOT help me like the film! It's visually BEAUTIFUL... but if you love the book, this film will disappoint.Plot elements were changed - some were eliminated. Dialogue was changed - unnecessarily. The dialogue in the book is sublime. Jane says things she NEVER would say - she only tells the reader. The film should have had narration for those things.There were some scenes with behaviors Jane would NEVER engage in. The film wasn't completely true to her Victorian values and character. Worst of all, the development of the relationship with Rochester - the love that grew between them - never was portrayed. Just taking the film on face value, one would ask why they decided to marry at all - why there was talk of love - when SO little was put into that part of the story.Overall, this is probably the WORST adaptation I've ever seen of my very favorite book. I'm terribly disappointed. It's visually pretty and the music fits - but throughout the film, I kept cringing. You just cannot do this book in two hours. I don't recommend it.

15 May 2012

Liked the book better

This review is from: Jane Eyre (Amazon Instant Video) I read the book several times growing up and loved it. I found this movie version left too much out.

14 May 2012

A Near Definitive JANE EYRE

Though there have been many versions of Charlotte Brontë's 1847 Victorian novel JANE EYRE the current incarnation as sensitively written for the screen by Moira Buffini and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga at least for this viewer is the strongest thus far. Much of the flavor of this production is due to the spectacularly atmospheric production design by Will Hughes-Jones, the appropriately Victorian musical score by Dario Marianelli and the fine cinematography by Adriano Goldman. And added to the responsible staff should be mentioned the casting by Nina Gold who has assembled a mixture of famous actors with a supporting cast of excellent neophytes.The surprise member of the cast is Mia Wasikowska as the most fully realized Jane Eyre on film (and that is in the company of such greats as Charlotte Gainsbourg, Samantha Morton, Susannah York, Zelah Clarke, Sally Ann Howes to mention a few). Wasikowska keeps Jane's focus clear throughout, never bending from her individuality nor her convictions. She is completely believable in the role of a Governess to Adèle (Romy Settbon Moore), a brave young outspoken lass to her evil Aunt (Sally Hawkins), a good friend to the housekeeper (Judi Dench), a responsible teacher for the missionary St John Rivers (Jamie Bell) and his sisters Diana (Holliday Grainger) and Mary (Tamzin Merchant), and most importantly she stands up to her own coming of womanhood to the harsh Edward Fairfax Rochester(Michael Fassbender). The story weaves back and forth and in this non-linear style we grasp the real essence of how Jane Eyre grows into the woman she becomes - despite a wretched childhood with her aunt, her misery n the boarding school, and her sense of being a poor girl who must be in service to the wealthy. It all works very well, even the treatment of Rochester's mad wife who dwells in the upper room of the mansion and haunts those below until she comes to an end. Though the story does not end happily, it provides a very satisfactory concept of life in the Victorian era.But sailing above everything is relative newcomer Mia Wasikowska in a powerful performance, equaled by her love interest Michael Fassbinder. This is an exceptional film worthy of awards and wide attention. August 11

13 May 2012

A big disappointment...

Like so many other reviewers here, I am a huge fan of this story and have watched most of the movie and television versions. I was waiting for this one to show up at my local movie theaters but it never did, and now I know why - who would want to see it? I found the settings to be very well done - the darkness that comes with gas lighting and small windows left rooms and people only half lit and that has been missed in many other versions. I also found the flash back technique interesting and a good way to tell the story. However, I thought the dialogue was so stilted and almost non-existent that I couldn't find enough to make me believe that an aristocrat would even notice or become entranced by a plain looking governess. The lack of dialogue also creeped me out because Rochester is in his mid 30's and Jane is 19 - without enough talk to convince me that he had found something of real substance in Jane, I had concerns of borderline pedophelia by Rochester - I mean really, why else would a middle aged man be interested in a homely teenager who only says one or two short sentences at each encounter? I look forward to the next version because this one just didn't work for me. Jane Eyre

12 May 2012

Another Jane Eyre to adore and add to a growing collection!

This review is from: Jane Eyre (DVD) Owning 4 copies of 'Jane Eyre' already (BBC's Timothy Dalton version, A&E's Ciaran Hinds version, Miramax's Charlotte Gainsbourg, and BBC's Toby Stephens and having rented a few more!), it might come as a surprise that I'd want to buy a 5th, the new version by Universal with Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland), but what a great story! I'm always up to check out a new adaptation of a favorite, and see how it compares: this 'Jane Eyre' does not disappoint! The acting is superbly done, the costumes are good, the cinematography is well-done - I was touched by the lovely, emotional and heartfelt scenes, and fell in love with the characters all over again. It's hard to pick a favorite 'Jane Eyre' myself, as there are merits from each of the ones that I own: a particular touching scene, a re-interpretation of the language of the novel, a filming location or style of presentation...I found enough different and enough the same in this new version, to appreciate it deeply for its own merits, while still adoring the great works of other 'Jane Eyre' films done in the past: such great parts played by Timothy Dalton, Ciaran Hinds, Toby Stephens, etc.

drarthurwells

12 May 2012

A Superb Jane Eyre

This Jane Eyre version excels in every department: acting, screenwriting, music, sets, costumes, pacing and story development. Englandhas been stratified socially in a rigid class structure. Women weresubservient to, and kept dependent on, men. The film's interplaybetween master and governess shows this in the skillfully drawnrelationship focus of the film. Master and servant are bound towell-defined roles in spite of a powerful love developing between them.This love grows and simmers, but remains muted, until containmentbecomes impossible. This essence of the film is nicely delineated in asuperb production. This is well worth viewing, however, see my reviewsof other versions.

KineticSeoul

12 May 2012

Really good dark romantic movie that is heart wrenching

This movie was like the better version of "Bright Star" yeah thepremise is a bit different, but the romance and time period seemedsimilar. To my surprise this was a engrossing and dark romantic movie.The setting, the clothing is well designed and the acting is good. MiaWasikowska never really stood out to this but she fit quite well inthis as Jane Eyre. Although she is far from being plain looking. Shesort of reminded me of a young Claire Danes. The shock value and twistsis decent and doesn't go in a direction where it's way too absurd. Theemotions and direction makes this movie even heart wrenching at times.Also all the actors and actresses did a wonderful job in this and didthe best with what they were given. On the negative side some scenesthat go back and forth between different times seemed a bit forced in abit, since it goes past way too quickly without much development. Themovie also doesn't quite explain why some men would fall head overheels for Jane Eyre, it shows some aspects of why but not much. I canunderstand with a running time around 2 hours they could not fit a lotof things in the novel in here. But if the pacing of certain partswould have been more developed this would have been a great movie.Overall this movie is a pretty darn good dark romantic movie, and mostdefinitely worth seeing it with a date or as a couple.7.8/10

10 May 2012

The Best Jane Eyre Movie yet!

This review is from: Jane Eyre (DVD) I've seen every Jane Eyre movie made and this one is my favorite one so far. It is fabulous. If you haven't seen a Jane Eyre movie, this one might be a little confusing the first time around, but once you know the story line, you will thoroughly enjoy it. It was creative, the scenery was beautiful, and the music score was wonderful. The story line stayed true to the book, which I always enjoy.

10 May 2012

Fantastic adaptation

This review is from: Jane Eyre (Amazon Instant Video) This adaptation felt very natural, with Jane presented as a dreamy, artistic, intelligent young woman who has a fortitude brought about by a childhood that was not kind but was not also overplayed. We are allowed to view her as if the most important things are about to happen, much the way it feels when young and venturing out into the world and relying on one's own character and strengths to succeed. She is more than the summary of a grim past and I very much like that she has finally been liberated a little from the demons of her childhood so that her own great beauty and simplicity shine through. For details, there are longer, more complete adaptations-personally, I'll just read the book again and enjoy that someone caught the spirit of Jane Eyre so perfectly. Mr Rochester, for once, was a rather sweet, if tormented man, and not so overbearing as to do a great deal more than prick the spirit of the girl into quick-witted response that shows her cleverness and his delight in her.

08 May 2012

Awful

This review is from: Jane Eyre (Amazon Instant Video) If you've never read the book, you might find this tolerable: wooden, ridiculous, awful. The acting was poor; the characters bore little resemblance to the characters in the book; important dialogue and scenes were cut or altered. Yeesh. Couldn't bare to watch more than a few minutes of each scene and then eventually just stopped. Waste of $3.99; waste of time.I agree with the individual who wanted to give it negative stars.

08 May 2012

Very Disappointed

I had such high hopes for this film, because I usually like adaptations of Jane Eyre, but it was such a disappointment! It felt as though it was 5 hours long and Mia Wasikowska was incredibly bland and un-spirited, even Michael Fassbender's handsomeness couldn't make up for that. Further, she looks as though she is 15 and he is clearly in his thirties, which didn't make for good chemistry at all! I have seen other adaptations(the best being with Toby Stephens, in my opinion), and never hoped it would finally come to an end. I think sometimes when Hollywood gets "its" hands on classics like this, a big budget isn't always the best idea.

SewEccentric

07 May 2012

Disappointed in the Ending

I think they completely glossed over the book's ending. Hard to elaborate without spoilers, but if you're interest in this film is based on your love of the book you may not appreciate the Hollywood ending. The ending also seemed rushed and truncated. In fact, I liked everything BUT the way they told the story. The acting, the costumes, the cinematography were all well done.

06 May 2012

Amazing Movie!

This movie was excellent! Everything about it was great! Any true "period movie" fan would agree. I'm kind of glad others didn't like it, so I can get it cheaper :)

05 May 2012

At first, I Hated It...

I have seen this film twice. First Viewing:I am a die hard Jane Eyre fan and have seen almost every movie version of this story. The first time that I saw this movie, I was very disappointed. I think I was bias because I love the 2006 and 1985(Timothy Dalton) version so much. I can't quite put my finger on what was wrong. The acting was good...the cinematography was gorgeous...but it was lacking something. There are some scenes that were amazing and worth seeing (Scene where Rochester comes clean about his wife and begs Jane to stay with him). They had to cram a lot in a 2 hour movie and I think that is what hurt it. Her years at school are cut short and the Helen Burns story is almost non existent. The love story happened to fast. It was like Jane meets Mr. Rochester and BAM their in love. The movie would have been a lot better if they had been given more time to tell the story and if Jane had showed more emotion (After my second viewing, I changed my mind about this). The movie is different from all the other versions because it is told in flashback and not in the order of the book. I thought that was creative, but it was like watching a documentary and not a love story. Perhaps the audience was only seeing Jane's most important memories. Not sure. Second Viewing I have to say that it is much better than I remembered. I compare my initial reaction to this movie to the way I felt about Kiera Knightley's Pride and Prejudice. I hated that movie the first time I watched it, but have grown fond of it on later viewings. Both movies suffer from the same symptom, to much storyline crammed into 2 hours. Michael and Mia did an excellent job with the script that they were given. At first, I was frustrated because Mia rarely shows Jane's feelings for Rochester until the marriage proposal. On second viewing, this makes more sense to me. I mean this is a character that grew up in a all girl's school and is unaccustomed to men or flirting. It was actually kinda of funny because you see Rochester trying to flirt/make not-so-subtle romantic overtures to Jane and she is confused/doesn't know how to react to his behavior. Very believable. I recommend watching it a couple of times before deciding whether you like it or not.

04 May 2012

Jane Eyre

This review is from: Jane Eyre (DVD) Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books and I have seen all the movies made on this book and believe that this one was the best as it heald my interest and it showed the anguish and despair that Jane went through during her childhood and heartache suffered from a broken heart. After seeing the movie at the theatre I was excited to have the DVD as I have watched it a number of times and still enjoy it.