Jane Eyre and Something Borrowed
Cary Fukunaga's Jane Eyre is brilliantly rendered onto the screen. Upfront I must say that I have not read the book, although I tried many years ago and didn't get too far in. My comments will be based solely on the film's merit rather than the story itself, or how it correlates with the original work.
Mia Wasikowska is brilliant as the mousy governess whose childhood is "your average tale of woe." Her performance is understated and refined, although at times I wished I could see a little bit more of what Jane was thinking or feeling. Part of that fault lay with the character, however, as Jane Eyre is incredibly guarded. Her chemistry with everyone onscreen is palpable, although non more so than Michael Fassbender's Rochester. I can't gush enough about everyone's performances in this film, but Michael Fassbender was simply astonishing. He plays the dark, brooding side of Rochester without tainting those moments where the man is jovial and lighthearted. Those who've read a Bronte novel, or any novel where there is a brooding leading man, should know what it is I feared from this character. Michael Fassbender, as always, did not disappoint. He made the character real, he was honest with his emotions and if any actor ever found the answer to "what's my motivation?" It's Michael Fassbender. His performance was strong and should be lauded.
Dame Judi Dench was phenomenal, as always, though her part was small. Another small role played by a not-so-small actor was Jamie Bell, who played Mr. Rivers. He was a veritable scene-stealer in this film, which is impressive as that term is often used for those playing more boisterous roles in comedies. The way he stole the scene was by his mere presence in it. He had a way of looking at Jane, of speaking quietly and communicating even without words what his character was thinking or feeling. Other notable performances were those by the young girl who plays Adele, as well as Amelia Clarkson, who plays Young Jane.
The overall mood of this film is not as dark and gloomy as I expected. It's definitely gloomy, and oftentimes dark, but the tone of each scene differs. At parts you feel like you're in a horror film, others a romance, and at other times, a bleak period drama. Jane Eyre is all of these things, and more, and I cannot recommend this film enough to anyone and everyone I know. Mia Wasikowska was a brilliant choice for the title role, not only for her performance, but also because there's something about her that is both beautiful and plain, both powerful and subdued, and very, very interesting. This is what Jane Eyre is, and just one more reason you should see this film.
Yet another film for which I haven't read the book, but I'm not about to pick this one up anytime soon. If you have any morals at all, you will not like the way this pans out. Granted, I really hoped that she would go for John Krasinski's character (because that is so what I would do) but even going in I knew she'd go for Dex (A NAME I HATE). I love Ginnifer Goodwin, but I had absolutely no respect for Rachel. It wasn't that she was hesitant and weak, those aspects of her I could relate to, but she betrayed her friend and wanted there to be no consequences. The message this movie sends is one I want to bury in the ground, and the final scene of it made me so angry that when it was over, I threw my hands up in the air and turned to my friend - "That was a horrible movie!"
Had that been me, and I had allowed my best friend to get the guy I wanted? Yes, I might have had an affair. Yes, I might have gotten caught. But the way that relationship started, at least the romantic part of it and Dexter's inability to make up his mind and care about both his wife and the girl he supposedly loved? Why would she still want him? Why would she think he was a good choice? John Krasinski's Ethan is presented as the perfect guy for her, and she still falls for the one who is stringing her along and being dishonest with himself. This should have been a cautionary tale, but instead Rachel gets what she wants, even if I feel that relationship will be poisonous.
I know it's just a silly movie, but I really, really took offense to that. Kate Hudson, however? I usually hate her and she absolutely made this movie. If anything, this movie is worth seeing just to watch her act drunk for the greater part of it. I loved the scene where she and Rachel danced - that was a reminder of their friendship and why I should hate Rachel and Dexter for what they were doing to her.
If anything, this movie made me like Kate Hudson more, which was pretty hard to do since she already rubbed me the wrong way AND stole my life. She's currently pregnant with Matthew Bellamy's baby, and they're engaged. THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ME! Screw royal princes, I wanted the musician. Heart = broken.
SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT FOR SOMETHING BORROWED
Mia Wasikowska is brilliant as the mousy governess whose childhood is "your average tale of woe." Her performance is understated and refined, although at times I wished I could see a little bit more of what Jane was thinking or feeling. Part of that fault lay with the character, however, as Jane Eyre is incredibly guarded. Her chemistry with everyone onscreen is palpable, although non more so than Michael Fassbender's Rochester. I can't gush enough about everyone's performances in this film, but Michael Fassbender was simply astonishing. He plays the dark, brooding side of Rochester without tainting those moments where the man is jovial and lighthearted. Those who've read a Bronte novel, or any novel where there is a brooding leading man, should know what it is I feared from this character. Michael Fassbender, as always, did not disappoint. He made the character real, he was honest with his emotions and if any actor ever found the answer to "what's my motivation?" It's Michael Fassbender. His performance was strong and should be lauded.
Dame Judi Dench was phenomenal, as always, though her part was small. Another small role played by a not-so-small actor was Jamie Bell, who played Mr. Rivers. He was a veritable scene-stealer in this film, which is impressive as that term is often used for those playing more boisterous roles in comedies. The way he stole the scene was by his mere presence in it. He had a way of looking at Jane, of speaking quietly and communicating even without words what his character was thinking or feeling. Other notable performances were those by the young girl who plays Adele, as well as Amelia Clarkson, who plays Young Jane.
The overall mood of this film is not as dark and gloomy as I expected. It's definitely gloomy, and oftentimes dark, but the tone of each scene differs. At parts you feel like you're in a horror film, others a romance, and at other times, a bleak period drama. Jane Eyre is all of these things, and more, and I cannot recommend this film enough to anyone and everyone I know. Mia Wasikowska was a brilliant choice for the title role, not only for her performance, but also because there's something about her that is both beautiful and plain, both powerful and subdued, and very, very interesting. This is what Jane Eyre is, and just one more reason you should see this film.
Yet another film for which I haven't read the book, but I'm not about to pick this one up anytime soon. If you have any morals at all, you will not like the way this pans out. Granted, I really hoped that she would go for John Krasinski's character (because that is so what I would do) but even going in I knew she'd go for Dex (A NAME I HATE). I love Ginnifer Goodwin, but I had absolutely no respect for Rachel. It wasn't that she was hesitant and weak, those aspects of her I could relate to, but she betrayed her friend and wanted there to be no consequences. The message this movie sends is one I want to bury in the ground, and the final scene of it made me so angry that when it was over, I threw my hands up in the air and turned to my friend - "That was a horrible movie!"
Had that been me, and I had allowed my best friend to get the guy I wanted? Yes, I might have had an affair. Yes, I might have gotten caught. But the way that relationship started, at least the romantic part of it and Dexter's inability to make up his mind and care about both his wife and the girl he supposedly loved? Why would she still want him? Why would she think he was a good choice? John Krasinski's Ethan is presented as the perfect guy for her, and she still falls for the one who is stringing her along and being dishonest with himself. This should have been a cautionary tale, but instead Rachel gets what she wants, even if I feel that relationship will be poisonous.
I know it's just a silly movie, but I really, really took offense to that. Kate Hudson, however? I usually hate her and she absolutely made this movie. If anything, this movie is worth seeing just to watch her act drunk for the greater part of it. I loved the scene where she and Rachel danced - that was a reminder of their friendship and why I should hate Rachel and Dexter for what they were doing to her.
If anything, this movie made me like Kate Hudson more, which was pretty hard to do since she already rubbed me the wrong way AND stole my life. She's currently pregnant with Matthew Bellamy's baby, and they're engaged. THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ME! Screw royal princes, I wanted the musician. Heart = broken.
SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT FOR SOMETHING BORROWED