Review of Jane Eyre (2011) by Dave J — 12 Sep 2011

A stylish, classy adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's timeless gothic romance. Some liberties have been taken with the plot in order to condense the epic tale into a two-hour film, and the ending in particular feels rushed; but some excellent cinematography captures both the cramped and restricted nature of the central characters' lives and the wide-open moorland spaces that play a key part in the tale.

Mia Wasikowska is arguably a bit too pretty to play a character whose lack of beauty is regularly remarked upon, but she makes Jane's joys and sorrows feel real. Michael Fassbender smoulders effectively as the tormented Mr Rochester, just about avoiding hamminess; and Sally Hawkins is convincingly nasty as Aunt Sarah.

The filmmakers' boldest move is to break from chronological narrative by introducing us to the adult Jane at the lowest point in her journey right at the start of the film. This succeeds superbly; it immediately engages the viewer's sympathy for the central character.

This 'Jane Eyre' is a BBC Films co-production and it sometimes feels a bit like a very superior TV movie, but it's ultimately a very effective, sometimes moving piece of storytelling.