Review: Jane Eyre (2011 film)

 

I remembered my first encounter with Jane Eyre. I was about fourteen, poking through my creepy school library during my duties as a librarian and found this old, ancient tome tucked in the literature corner. Now, I have always been into old, classic novels: Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility. So  I was naturally curious when I stumbled upon this novel. I quickly borrowed the battered, yellowed book to read it at home.

Reading Jane Eyre was a extraordinary experience for me, being a teenager in a small town with no exposure to the outside world. It was a splendid mix of horror (I later found the word was Gothic) and romance with a bit of feminism thrown in. I rushed out and bought a copy of my own because I wanted to own this piece of literary wonder that bewitched me. Until today, it is one of the most intriguing novel ever written in my eyes.

Like any devotee, I would eagerly watch the movie version of the book. I found myself not-so-impressed with the one acted by William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg, but I was pleased with the BBC TV series version in 2006. However, when I heard that there will be another remake starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, I knew I had to watch this movie to see if it was up to par with the book.

Reader, I must say, this is one of my most favourite adaptations of the book, on par with the BBC TV series in 2006. There is plenty to admire from start to finish: the beautiful and lush cinematography, the inspiring acting, the chemistry between the characters. It was as if director Cary Fukunaga had extracted some of the best bits of the novels and wove them beautifully together into a seamless work of art. The story unfolds in an unconventional way – starting with Jane fleeing away from Thornfield and her beloved Rochester after he told her his heatbreaking secret. In the beautiful moors, she was taken in by local parish, St John Rivers (delightfully played with stern solemnity by Jamie Campbell). Her tale is then told in flashbacks in between her time spent with St John and his sisters in the Moor House.

We learnt that Jane was an orphan raised by her aunt, who resented the child as a burden. Despite the difficult environment of her childhood – both from her upbringing and her time in a boarding school under a hypocritical and cruel man – she cultivated a strong character and a desire to be a free and independent woman . Her life took a different path when she was sent off to work as a governess in Thornfield, a mysterious castle owned by the elusive Edward Fairfax Rochester.

Her arrival in Thornfield was uneventful, as she was warmly welcomed by the gossipy yet kind-hearted housekeeper Mrs Fairfax (the marvellous Dame Judi Dench added her own nuances to the supporting role).She immediately attends to the duties of educating Adele Varens, the French ward of Mr. Rochester. One day, wistful about the world that lay over the borders of Thornfield, she heeded the advice of Mrs Fairfax and went on a walk to clear her mind. There, she finally encountered her master in the misty garden – setting off the beginning of her evolution from a child to a woman.

Despite a cold and formal conversation after that tense first meeting, Jane found herself captivated by Rochester, who was older than her and possess a more cynical and sinister worldview than herself. Actress Mia kept a stoic front in her portrayal of Jane even as her character falls deeply in love with her master, even as gossip indicated that Rochester was to be wed with the snooty Blanche Ingram of his similar ranking in society. Here I would like to add that I wished that Mia had injected more lovelornness in her feelings so that when Rochester finally declares his love for her we could truly taste her happiness. Swept by her joy, Jane tries to ignore that creeping sense of unease that something was not right in this Gothic home and that her beloved husband-to-be was hiding something from her.

Of course all is not what seems and the truth of Rochester’s secret is brought to light on the same day that Jane was to be wed to Rochester. Torn between her own love for him and her morality, she decides to preserve her dignity by running away. Under the kindness of the Rivers siblings, Jane finally accomplished her long-cherished dream of living a quiet and solitary life independent and free. But despite her change in fortune as time passes, Jane still yearns for Rochester and it was not until much tragedy later that she was reunited with him once again.

Micheal Fassbender is a marvel to watch in the film – impersonating the tortured and cynical Byronic hero with his eyes and facial expressions. His highlight in this film was at the scene where he begged her to stay with him before her abrupt departure from Thornfield (a climax in the book as well) and he was broken apart by the fact that the ‘fairy’ whom he believed would save his soul was not able to be by his side completely. While I was aware the scene would come from the book, Fassbender’s spectacular delivery of pain and anguish was so moving I actually shed a few tears.

The chemistry between the actors was a winning point of this movie, especially between Rochester and Jane, which carries off the entire story-line. I could feel the excitement when the two carried out a tense yet spirited discussion over the fire after their first encounter where you could clearly see the attraction between the characters. The buildup to their sparkling declaration of love was beautifully done, although I still think Jane could be more lovelorn instead of too stern in her countenance. Yes I am aware of it is how Jane should behave but it would have add more spark in the end don’t ya think? I also liked the chemistry between Jane and St John especially the scene where she was adamant in refusing his offer of a loveless marriage. Mia, a young and spirited actress, is truly the face to watch in the movie.

That being said, I do have a few bones to pick with the movie, especially the sudden ending. To me, the best part of the book was when she was finally reunited with Rochester and the tables are turned: she is wealthy and free, while he is no longer able and is dependent yet he eagerly accepts the redemption of Jane’s love in sake of his pride. I feel it was necessary to include this part in the book to keep the balance of the film, but then again that is my opinion. Regardless, this is an enjoyable movie that will surely make this beloved fiction popular among young girls yet again.