Review of Jane Eyre (2011) by Drew R — 23 Oct 2014

"Jane Eyre'' is based on the classic book written by Charlotte Bronte. It stars Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska, and is directed by Cary Fukunaga. The original novel is a well written piece of literature, however I must confess it was hard to enjoy it. The story is very depressing, and lasts for about 500-600 pages. After reading 600 pages of sadness I found it hard to enjoy the book. Also I felt it hard to relate to its central character. However, the film is very enjoyable. I have a hard time reading romantic novels and find it much easier to see it on screen. It also helps me sympathize with Jane Eyre's character.

Jane Eyre (Mia) is a young girl raised by her wicked aunt and distant relatives. She grows up hated and abused. Soon after an incident she is sent to a type of boarding school for girls where they are "disciplined'' harshly. When she becomes an adult, she seeks work, and is hired to tutor a young French girl in the house of Mr. Rochester (Fassbender). Rochester is a very complicated man with constant mood swings and an unpredictable nature. I would describe this as a "Beauty and the Beast'' type of story, and in some ways it is. Internally Rochester is a beast, and internally Jane Eyre is beautiful.

The performances in this were quite captivating and convincing. Mia Wasikowska is a fine young actress who plays the part of Jane Eyre perfectly. I knew the key to this film had to be that Jane's and Rochester's characters were played by the right individuals. Michael Fassbender was perfect as Rochester. He balanced the severity of his nature and the moments of tenderness quite well. Because the two stars fit their roles so well is why this film worked so well for me. Plus seeing Judi Dench was a real treat.

The film is on par with the book in almost every way. It's a great adaptation of the novel, and it's core themes and imagery are even more noticeable and powerful visualized. The camera work is also quite beautiful. Every detail in the costumes and the set pieces is paid attention to.

With strong performances and extreme emotion throughout, "Jane Eyre'' is a worthy adaptation of the novel. It doesn't overdue the romance or the sadness too much. It is well balanced and made with care. It also stays true to its source material in almost every way, including its beautiful imagery, while also cutting things down to make it more enjoyable for an audience.