Spoilers! Watch it before reading on!
See my review on the Jane Eyre book here
Like any movie adapted from a book, it misses a lot of important details and scenes. One thing I would have loved to see is Jane's struggle after leaving Thornfield, how people take her in, and how they turn out to be her cousins. She never had a family, and while they did include St. John's character, they ignored their relationship. It looked like they tried to add a family element by her getting to see portraits of her deceased father and uncle, but it wasn't the same. The three cousins and her got along well, with their mutual thirst for knowledge, so having that omitted, as well as Diana's character altogether, was upsetting.
They also left out the part where Mr. Rochester dresses as a fortune teller and tries to trick Jane into admitting her feelings for him, which... I'm not going to lie, I'm glad wasn't included. Written it was weird, but to see the actor dressed as a creepy lady would have been too much, and taken away from the seriousness of their relationship. It also added to the reasons he was kind of a prick, so, good job making movie Mr. Rochester nicer.
In fact, William Hurt made a more lovable Mr. Rochester all around. He of course had his sarcastic or angry moments, but he wasn't as cold as he was in the books. In the movie, you can see in his eyes how he loves her, not just through his actions or words. After she saved him from the fire, he gave her his cloak and held onto her hands and it was such a soft moment, and you could see his hurt when she tries to just leave him without so much as a goodnight. Him and Jane have visible chemistry, and the age gap in the movie didn't seen so severe, I believe they also made her 20 instead of 18.
Another part around the movie I loved was one I don't recall ever happening in the book, when Jane drew a picture of him for Adele. It also gave an opening for the notable line, "Do you think me handsome?" and "No, sir." because she was studying him for the sketch. When he looked at it and saw how dark and rugged she drew him, he again looked hurt. Another reason for him to think Jane doesn't like him back. The line, "the shadows are as important as the light" was also a beautiful addition, I'm surprised that line didn't come straight from the book! It reflects their relationship so well.
As for Adele, she was a charming and sweet little girl, but looked older than 10. In the books she was around 8, so if they wanted to cast someone older, I wish they stated that in the movie without trying to stick to the books. But she was still how I pictured her, and pulled off the daughter of a French dancer thing well. And she was even more lovable when at the party, when everyone is putting down governesses, she looked at them sadly. At the end of the books, she is still sent to school, but Jane makes sure it's one where she's happy. In the movies, Adele lives with them as their own child, and that is a much happier ending.
Young Jane was casted well too, and they did a good job with her relationship with Ms. Temple and Helen. The scene where Helen dies was heartbreaking. I wish they spent more time building up her character as one wise beyond her years, but they only focused on the sweet and peaceful side of her. She was still lovable, but in the books her insight on life helped Jane become who she is. The transition at the graveyard between 10 and 20 year old Jane was good though, knowing that she never forgot her first friend.
Things that could have been executed better in the movie are when they are finally expressing how they want to be together, and Mr. Rochester holds Jane and says she is "clawing like a caged bird"... first of all, how dare you. In the book he says, "Jane, be still; don't struggle so like a wild, frantic bird, that is rending its own plumage in its desperation" which is just to say that she shouldn't be struggling. The movie makes it sound like she shouldn't be trying to free herself, stay trapped, stay obedient. No thanks.
Then, at the wedding, Mr. Mason and Mr. Briggs come in with no real motivation except being shit disturbers. In the books, they came to stop the wedding for Jane's sake, because her uncle was worried about her entering a bigamist marriage. Mr. Mason was described as someone who wouldn't want to hurt Mr. Rochester, he trusted him, so letting it be known that he was trying to help would have been nice. But it was a big coincidence that they were all acquainted anyway, the books are full of those.
After the wedding, it's all very rushed. Jane runs away without ever confronting Mr. Rochester which isn't in her character. Then as he runs after her carriage, he realized his house in burning, and he looks back and forth between in and her carriage - and chooses his house. It might have added some excitement to the story and showed him as a hero, but making it look like he gave up on her, ouff. That stung. The book was the one that brought me to tears, because it was drawn out, and when she left him, she did it in the night. She stood outside his room and could hear and pacing and sighing and had to resist the temptation to go in and comfort him. It was a demonstration of both strength and empathy.
Even with all these changes, I can still appreciate this adaptation of Jane Eyre. I love the casting, specifically Jane Eyre who was exactly how I pictures her, and the general vibes I get from the show. The ending brought me to tears, it was so beautiful. I hope I can say the same for the next version I watch!
Feel free to discuss with me below!
I didn't see this adaptation I have to catch up on this. I love this book, for many reasons, I think is the best novel written from all of Bronte sisters books.
The movie comes highly recommended by me! I've watched it again since writing this, I cannot get enough. And yes I agree, the best of the Bronte sisters, and one of my favourite books of all time! Beautiful story, beautifully written - what could be better.
hi @tvreviews
I must say that the book is so beautiful that it is really difficult to find a cinematographic version that is worthy of it. But not for this reason they are not good films. I also believe that the protagonist who plays Jane is perfect and expresses very well all the emotions that flow in her life. Have you also seen the other versions of the film?
congratulations and thanks for sharing with us
Agreed. I can't see myself enjoying a movie as much as I did the book, but I believe the 1996 film did it justice. Charlotte Gainsbourg was the perfect Jane Eyre.
I've seen the 2011 version years ago, I loved the cinemetography but I didn't like the casting! While still a good movie, it wasn't at all how I pictured Jane or Mr. Rochester.
I'm going to keep searching, and watch every other version I can get my hands on, so expect a review for those soon! Thank you for reading x
Hi tvreviews,
Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Wow thank you so much! I really appreciate this.
Congratulations on the Curie pick! Excellent review.
For some reason the movie reminds me of "North and South", not sure why. But I'll make sure to watch that movie in the near future :)
Keep up the good work!
Thank you!!! I'm so grateful.
I have yet to see North and South, but now you have me excited to! If it's anything like Jane Eyre, I am going to love it.
I've never heard about this movie and decided to follow your advice about watching it before reading the whole review. When I went to IMDB to check something about the movie, I was surprised how many remakes it has, and the first movie about Jane Eyre is from 1934 ! Since that time, same-titled movie was made in 1970, 1973, 1983, 1996, 2006 and 2011. There is no need to be a Scherlock to smell, that there must be something in this movie. You raised my curiosity to check this topic closer. Thanks.
Article obviously upvoted !
Thank you so much and I'm glad to hear that!
I knew there were lots of versions but 1934? That's crazy! I've seen the 2011 one, which is good and has beautiful cinematography, but the 1996 one has a special place in my heart and is more true to the books. Both their soundtracks are nice.
I read the book last week (posted a review for that too) and can't get enough of this story.
I hope you like it! <3
Congratulations @tvreviews! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPDo not miss the last post from @steemitboard:
Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!
They did it with one of the books here in India too. The book '2 states', the movie does not have so many details from it and some facts are modified, it made me as the book lover disappointed.