The rich and mysterious story of Jane Eyre is not something you'd expect to come from the mid-19th
century. Charlotte Brontë's book
is long and difficult to get through, however, this film version gives you have
the complete opposite feeling.
Jane has had a loveless life. As a girl she was hated by her
Aunt, and then sent off to school only to be tortured there as well. After
leaving, she becomes the Governess in Mr. Rochester's Thornfield Hall. The two
grow closer everyday, but a secret lurking in the shadows may once again
destroy Jane's only chance at happiness.
I read this book in high school. Although I loved the story, it
was full of details and took forever to reach any sort of climax. Director Cary
Fukunaga has done a wonderful job with his film adaption, keeping the details
intact, but heightening the suspense and romance. Jane Eyre stays
true to Brontë's novel and doesn't try to add anything of its own; it merely
enhances an already great story through the visual effects of film.
The respective casting of Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender,
Jamie Bell and Judi Dench couldn't have been done any better. Playing the mousy
and plain Jane, Wasikowska effectively allows herself to fill the role in both
mind and appearance. What I didn't find until the very end was a full sense of
chemistry between Jane and Mr. Rochester. They clearly had a connection, but
the passion was missing when the time came. Still, it did eventually show
itself at the end of the film, and that's what matters most.
Having already read the novel, I entered the theater with no bias
towards Fukunaga's adaptation. If the film had been boring, not even the story
could've altered my opinion. As it stands, Jane
Eyre is an enthralling and contemporary film adaption that appeals to the
curious and romantic nature in us all.
In short, I highly recommend you checking it out.
