jackiemania

JacquelineM · @jackiemania

27th Aug 2011 from Twitlonger

Finally saw the new Jane Eyre film. I was disappointed.

First, what I liked: The cinematography. Great color palette and use of light (or should I say dark).

..and settings. Misty moors. Evocative, appropriate homes, etc.

Mia Wasikowska's performance was really good. I would have liked her a little fiercer. The little girl who played the younger Jane was perfect and underutilized.

Which leads me to what I didn't like!

They made it into a romance. I have always maintained that this novel's least interesting aspect is the romance. Sure, love and passion are main components of the book, but they do not only pertain to Mr. Rochester. Jane's search for independence and a life on her own terms is what made this novel revolutionary in 1847 and what makes it compelling to this day. Bronte's exploration of gender, religion, and social class are so original. What a shame to barely acknowledge them.

(I know you can't put everything in the book into the movie, but the film can retain the book's spirit, and I don't think this film did.)

Also, Jane had WAY too many clothes, and Michael Fassbender is much too young and traditionally handsome to play Rochester (he can't help that! He was perfectly cranky though ;)

I didn't like at all how they used (or failed to) Bertha/the Madwoman in the Attic. Again, one of the most compelling aspects of the book! Not even a hint of Bronte's layers of meaning (and they should not have changed the whole veil scene. Too important!)

I could go on but I have a hurricane to prepare for!



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