Jane Eyre (2011)

directed by Cary Fukunaga

starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassebender, Jamie Bell

I'll resist the urge to analyze this and write an essay over it, as is my reaction. Jane Eyre was the final major work that we read in my intro-English-honors class last semester, and our final papers were all devoted to Bronte's masterpiece and its successors. My first reaction, then, was that of a lit critic. Even if I ended up dropping the English major.

The movie actually begins with Jane's flight and her rescue by St John and Co., which is fantastic. This is the first adaptation to do this, and it builds suspense early while alleviating the usual boredom of the third act. The rest of the tale, then, is an extended flashback, building to the moment that led to Jane's self-imposed exile. The film handles Jane's childhood well; there's a nod to Bewick's Birds, and the Red Room actually makes it in, even if it's not quite as spooky or Red as I would have liked it. Lowood and Helen make an adequate appearance, and then it's off to Thornfield without time for a lengthy explanation. The one thing that irks me is the lack of the torn-veil-nightmare scene. It was really needed to build to the reveal at the wedding, which ended up feeling like a bit of a letdown. This scene could have given that plot line some much-needed tension.

Perhaps that was the major fault of the movie: while it captured the monotony and loneliness of Jane's life, it also felt pretty even throughout, never building or releasing. Perhaps it is the loss of Jane's internal monologue that made the movie so quiet; when your protagonist is mostly silent, the movie can grow a bit dull. However, this dullness makes Jane and Rochester's lively interaction all the more captivating - for us as well as her. The more the audience understands Jane's simple life, the more they sympathize with her feelings for her employer. Still, even their romantic ups and downs were less than engrossing. You'd think with fire and ghosts and jealousy this movie might veer towards the exciting at times, but no, it remains as dutifully unfazed as Jane.

That said, Mia Wasikowska may be the perfect Jane Eyre. I thought she had this ethereal, simple beauty as Alice, but here, she is convincingly plain. Her hair is actually blondish for once (yay!) and she captures Jane's combination of passionate will and gentle compliance. For the first time, I never felt like I was watching an actress portray Jane Eyre. The girl on the screen was Jane, and I didn't even stop to consider it for some time.

Rochester, of course, isn't nearly ugly enough, but what can you do? At least he wasn't blindingly handsome. And his anguished "Jane!" is an easy improvement from Orson Welles' monotone chant, so good job there. Plus he has facial hair. No good Rochester should be without facial hair.

Like Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre was done by Focus Features. The films have similar feels, but I fear I won't be re-watching the latter as religiously as I do the former. And it's not because of the difference in plots; I don't love Mr. Darcy any more than Rochester. Jane Eyre is, unfortunately, a rather un-theatrical tale. This film is a lovely effort, but Jane's character and story don't quite captivate on the screen as easily as in text.

Coming Soon: Tree of Life, Hamlet, X-Men, Agora