Jane Eyre (2011)

Number Rolled: 98

Movie Name/Year: Jane Eyre (2011)

Tagline: She sought refuge... and found a place haunted by secrets.

Genre: Drama

Length: 120 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Production Companies: Focus Features, BBC Films, Ruby Films, Lipsync Productions

Producer: Mairi Bett, Hannah Farrell, Peter Hampden, Christine Langan, Alison Owen, Paul Trijbits, Faye Ward, Sasha Harris

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Writer: Charlotte Bronte, Moira Buffini

Actors: Mia Wasikowska, Jamie Bell, Su Elliot, Holliday Grainger, Tamzin Merchant, Amelia Clarkson, Sally Hawkins, Simon McBurney, Judi Dench, Romy Settbon Moore, Michael Fassbender, Imogen Poots, Sophie Ward

Blurb from Netflix: Driven from her post at Thornfield House, young governess Jane Eyre reflects on her youth and the events that led her to misty moors.

Selina’s Point of View:

I’m going to be honest here, I don’t feel qualified to review this film.

Technically, the film was great. Breathtaking scenes, wonderful costume designs, and the casting/acting was phenomenal. None of that was a problem at all.

My issue is that it’s exactly the kind of movie I would never choose to watch on my own. Granted, I’ve seen a lot of great movies while writing this blog that I never would have chosen to watch before I rolled them. I never would have seen Archie’s Final Project (2009) or Judas Kiss (2011) and they are both movies I absolutely adored.

It’s that slow pure drama with light romance that generally bores me to tears and Jane Eyre was exactly that.

So, I’m giving the movie a mediocre score, but don’t judge the film by that. I’m sure it would be scored much higher by someone that actually enjoys the genre.

Cat’s Point of View:

I love a good period piece now and again. It’s fun to get swept away into the story and back in time, as well.

It has been a very long time since I read the novel by Charlotte Brontë which inspired this movie. I would be hard pressed to recall the minutia of detail to note whether or not this film stayed completely accurate to the book; or even how it stood up to the earlier films adapted from the novel.

What I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I was captivated and drawn in to Jane’s plight. The more I see of Mia Wasikowska (Rogue, Stoker, Crimson Peak), the more I enjoy her as an actress. She excellently portrays a wide-eyed innocent aspect, yet retaining spirit and backbone.

Quite a few seem to equivocate innocence to simpering naiveté. She did justice to her role in embodying this figure from classical literature without evoking such sentiment.

How do I love Michael Fassbender (Hunger, Blood Creek, Shame), let me count the ways… ok so I’ll admit I’m a bit biased when it comes to him. I do submit, however, that it is entirely warranted and deserving on account of his talent.

He embodied the role of the Byronic Rochester with finesse. From moments of whimsy to insightful and moody banter to enigmatic urgency; Fassbender exceeded my already high expectations.  Whether taking on works of Shakespeare, xenomorphs, or the Marvelverse; any film he’s involved with is likely worth giving a chance.

There were other recognizable, and notable, performances here such as Dame Judi Dench (Rage, J. Edgar, Philomena) as Mrs. Fairfax; and Jamie Bell (Flags of Our Fathers, The Eagle, Snowpiercer) as St. John Rivers.

Cinematically, I could have done without a little bit of shaky-cam in the beginning; but that’s really just splitting hairs.

Finally, if the house used as the setting for the Reeds’ home, Gateshead, looks familiar; you might have seen it on the screen before. It was used as a filming location in at least one other production - Gosford Park (2001). 

Not only would I recommend this movie, and gladly watch it again; I think it’s long overdue that I revisit the book.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 84%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 76%

Netflix’s Prediction for Selina – 4/5

Selina’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 2.5/5

Netflix’s Prediction for Cat – 4.5/5

Cat’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 4.5/5

Movie Trailer: