Jane Eyre just came out on DVD. I have been devouring it (excellent commentary from director Cary Fukunaga). Here’s my review. I still think they should have kept in Mr. Rochester dressing up in drag to grill Jane Eyre about her feelings for her master. But I’m working on a bigger piece about that.
Hey, Sheilah, saw this movie on Saturday and just read your review. I agree with you, I felt there were important scenes missing and although I usually like chronologically altered stories starting with the climax, in this case it kind of diminished the inner tension/power of the book; making the whole Thornfield/Rochester part something incidental. Maybe they could have avoid that by starting with the part Jane hears the voice of Mr. Rochester in the wind, making clear that is the main story and not other.
My favorite version of this book is the one the BBC made in 2006: because it was a mini-series of 4 chapters, they were able to explore with more depth everyone’s motivations and develop the love story in a magic way. Plus this Mr. Rochester is my favorite & the actress is great. Here, the “You think because I am poor, plain, obscure and little, that I have no heart?” is soooooo heartbreaking and well acted.
If you haven’t seen it, maybe you should see the series before watching the scene:
http://youtu.be/UfZIOwzq90M
What I did like from the new movie was July Dench’ s portray of the housekeeper :)
Clara – thanks for your comment!
I didn’t mind so much the changing of chronology – I actually liked it – sort of propelling us forward to Mr. Rochester – but as I said I am mainly disappointed that this crucial scene of Mr. Rochester dressing up as the gypsy woman was left out entirely. It’s not even mentioned in the commentary track (and the director talks a lot about what he left out, and why). I suppose it seems too weird, but that, to me, is the entire point. Mr. Rochester is a total WEIRDO. He is unconventional, agonized, as much of an outsider as Jane is – even with his privilege and male status – and resorts to dressing up as a woman to try to get Jane to confide in him. Yes, it’s nuts, but I think it’s so interesting, in terms of who that character is. I loved Michael Fassbender in the role – he really got the emotional intimacy he was yearning for with Jane – always taking her in, assessing her … zero boundaries – but I really missed that cross-dressing scene!
I have heard much good things about that mini-series and keep meaning to check it out. I definitely will!! Thanks!
Oh and yes Dame Dench was just wonderful. I’m never really clear on how much her Mrs. Fairfax knows or doesn’t … She’s so good that it is kind of left up in the air. I loved her humor too. After she watches the little French girl dance and sing, she says deadon, “How very French.”
I loved the little girl who played Helen, too. Her face haunts me.
Can’t wait to see this version… From the way she played the Sophie character in the first season of “In Treatment,” I’m guessing that Mia Wasikowska was a wonderful Jane.
As for Mr. Rochester’s weirdness, have you read Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys? In it, she basically develops a back story for him and the madwoman in the attic. It’s quite a fascinating take, based in part on her own life. I think you’d like it, or at least find it interesting…
April – Mia is absolutely fantastic. Best of all: despite her beauty, she comes off as very very plain. Sallow and serious. Just like Jane Eyre should be.
I have not read Wide Sargasso Sea – sounds fascinating! Poor Bertha.
And when you read it, you’ll understand why I referred to her the way I did, rather than as “Bertha.” ;o) Tell you what, I’ll watch Mia’s version this weekend, and if at some point you have a chance to check out the book, I’ll meet you back here to discuss…