Here it is in all its cinematic glory. J ane Eyre is gracing our screens for the18th time (if you don't count the television versions). In the past, the story hasn't been one of my favorites because it's so dark. Not only does does Rochester attempt a polygamous marriage, but it seems bizzarre that Jane would be drawn to such a mean-spirited man. Thanks to the incredible character interpretation and acting by Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, Amelia) as Jane Eyre and Michael Fassbender (2011 X-Men: First Class, Centurion), I identified with the characters for the first time, and it made a big difference in how I viewed the film.
As I previewed this film sent to me for review from Universal Home Studios, I was able to admire Jane's sense of self-appreciation in spite of adversity, and I could empathize with Rochester's tragic situation that had turned him into the man he was when Jane met him.
Romance or Terror? That Is the Question.
Why can't the answer be both? That was the question director Cary Joji Fukunaga (Sin Nombre) asked before working on the film. When I interviewed him by telephone regarding this DVD, he explained that films were usually either horror or romance. He challenged himself to combine the two.
Past Hollywood versions of Jane Eyre typically focused on the romance, making Rochester good-looking so he had at leas one sterling quality. Fukanaga made him a real man with a seeming haunted house that mirrored his haunted soul. The director wove horror and romance together beautifully. Mission accomplished.
Filming a Bygone Era
Directing this historical film wasn't a problem for Fukunaga. He has always had a passion for history. Even way back in junior high, he was a history buff, and he enjoyed learning about the Civil War. In college he studied new colonialism, which was heavily based on the 19th century expansion.
Fukunaga particularly enjoyed the feel of the world created in Jane Eyre. He loved the stateliness of the era. As he worked with Jenny at Random House books, she talked with Fukunaga about race politics. They discussed Bertha and the driver. Those who returned from the Carribbean in that era were more likely to go back to the UK than America because of slavery. When Fukunaga was casting the roles, he had to take Rochester's background in Jamaica into account, which is why they chose a black man for the carriage driver. As he was casting Bertha, he had to define what a Creole meant in that era. Fukunaga hadn't really thought of that before in regards to history in the United Kingdom.
Piecing the Music and Acting Together
As a viewer, I was blown away by the acting and the music (not to mention the lush cinematography). The final result was a magical cohesion of talented actors and the musician, Dario Marianelli (V for Vendetta, The Brothers Grimm, Pride & Prejudice and The Soloist).
Fukunaga pointed out that it was a very difficult set, and the schedule was packed. Their filming calendar was very ambitious. They had to have confidence in the absolute minimum then move on. Throughout the long, hard days of filming, the actors never complained and kept in the character.
Martinelli began working with Fukunaga even as they were cutting the scenes. This unusual process made the work easier in the long run because he knew what he was working with, and they could talk freely about each scene without going on speculation. They spent five to six weeks at the end fine tuning the sound effects and score.
Jane Eyre for Family Viewing
Because of the dark nature of the story, this film would be best for older teenagers. It will mostly appeal to those who appreciate a slow-moving story filled with rich detail. The film inspires one to read the book and do a comparison. Since there are many versions of the film, families might try watching a couple of the films and discussing the different angles and cinematography to determine how these factors change the story.
After viewing the film, I still felt that it was quite dark. However, I had more compassion for Rochester and the awkward situation he was placed in. I also appreciated the inner strength of Jane. There were a couple of loose ends I couldn't relate with such as how Jane managed to fall so passionately in love with Rochester after only a couple of meetings, especially when he was cryptic interlude during these meetings. I also noticed that once they confessed her love for each other, Rochester's daughter pretty much disappeared from the picture. Then again, there is only so much that one can fit in a film. All in all, Fukunaga did a brilliant job of bringing this classic to life.
- Actors: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
- Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Studio: Universal Studios
- DVD Release Date: August 16, 2011 - Available
- Run Time: 121 minutes
- Rating: 4/5
Christine Pollock - Christine Pollock loves to tell people that she watches TV for a living - a true fact that’s also appreciated by her ...
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