I am a free human being with an independent will
I finally got to see Cary Fukunaga's Jane Eyre. Very lovely, with an astounding Mia Wasikowska as Jane. I think I may still prefer the 2006 BBC miniseries with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens for meatiness and interpretation (despite the liberties it takes), but this new movie is an excellent accounting.
The dialogue and plot are faithfully rendered and all the actors do an admirable job, especially Ms. Wasikowska, who gives Charlotte Gainsbourg a run for most quietly defiant Jane ever. The very best parts, however, may be the amazing cinematography and superior sound design, which includes haunting score and foley work. The camera work was deceptively simple, but brought the empty moors into sharp relief; the house and Gothic atmosphere came alive through sound effects, which were so very well done. Costuming was also excellent, especially the bonnets and waists.
Michael Fassbender did well as Rochester (the first library scene fairly crackles), but his performance almost paled in comparison to the supporting cast of Dame Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax and Jamie Bell as St. John.
Things I didn't like: It did feel a bit too fast to me, partially because the dialogue/plot was so faithful--there is only so much that can be done in 2 hours, and if entire scenes are transposed, then there is not a lot of time for small but crucial connecting/explanatory bits. St. John did go a bit crazy at the end, which I felt was uncalled for. The ending was waaay too abrupt. (See first gripe.) There were very overt allusions to vampirism in an attempt to boost the Gothic feel, but that I found extremely distasteful--it felt like the filmmakers had latched onto this one element to boost as a nod to current vampire trends.
But yes, very well done overall. Almost comparable to this:
(Click for larger view. Why yes, that is an original manuscript of Jane Eyre in the British Library! [Can you believe her handwriting?] I took this on a recent trip, and nearly went out of my little head for excitement at being surrounded by, among other things, the Magna Carter, Gutenberg Bible, Leonardo da Vinci journals, and music and literary manuscripts galore. And Jane Austen's writing desk.)
The dialogue and plot are faithfully rendered and all the actors do an admirable job, especially Ms. Wasikowska, who gives Charlotte Gainsbourg a run for most quietly defiant Jane ever. The very best parts, however, may be the amazing cinematography and superior sound design, which includes haunting score and foley work. The camera work was deceptively simple, but brought the empty moors into sharp relief; the house and Gothic atmosphere came alive through sound effects, which were so very well done. Costuming was also excellent, especially the bonnets and waists.
Michael Fassbender did well as Rochester (the first library scene fairly crackles), but his performance almost paled in comparison to the supporting cast of Dame Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax and Jamie Bell as St. John.
Things I didn't like: It did feel a bit too fast to me, partially because the dialogue/plot was so faithful--there is only so much that can be done in 2 hours, and if entire scenes are transposed, then there is not a lot of time for small but crucial connecting/explanatory bits. St. John did go a bit crazy at the end, which I felt was uncalled for. The ending was waaay too abrupt. (See first gripe.) There were very overt allusions to vampirism in an attempt to boost the Gothic feel, but that I found extremely distasteful--it felt like the filmmakers had latched onto this one element to boost as a nod to current vampire trends.
But yes, very well done overall. Almost comparable to this:
(Click for larger view. Why yes, that is an original manuscript of Jane Eyre in the British Library! [Can you believe her handwriting?] I took this on a recent trip, and nearly went out of my little head for excitement at being surrounded by, among other things, the Magna Carter, Gutenberg Bible, Leonardo da Vinci journals, and music and literary manuscripts galore. And Jane Austen's writing desk.)