Full disclosure: I read about 2/3 of Jane Eyre in college. While I know the basic story, I am by no means an expert on the book, its historical context, its author, etc. So I can't really compare the Bronte novel to this particular film adaptation.
Taken as is, the 2011 film adaptation of Jane Eyre is scenic, well-acted, and slow-moving. It is a quintessential "adult" movie--not in the X-rated sense, but in the sense that you need to have patience and intelligence to unpack this film. Jane Eyre is dense and internal. People tend to think of it as a straightforward love story between Jane, the "poor, obscure, plain, and little" governess and Mr. Rochester, her gruff and tormented employer; but in actuality, Jane Eyre is more about self-actualization and self-respect than anything else. The love story is second to the story of a young girl developing moral character and an older man finding grace in humility. But humility and moral character don't exactly make for an exciting story.
This film adaptation seems well cast. Mia Wasikowska, known for her work in Alice in Wonderland and The Kids Are Alright, is a perfect Jane. Unlike previous actresses who have played Jane, Wasikowska is about the same age as the character she portrays (Wasikowska is 20, and Jane is around 19 at the end of the book). She also embodies the "plain and little" aspect of Jane. While Wasikowska certainly has an ethereal beauty, without makeup and in dowdy dresses she captures the modesty of Jane--a woman who is the definition of "inner beauty".Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds, Fish Tank) plays Rochester--and although he is definitely younger and more handsome than previous incarnations, he captures the tormented, angry man who sees in Jane a way out of his self-inflicted emotional hell. He is initially wry and sarcastic toward Jane--not cruel, but not kind. Later, he is passionately devoted to her, but he screws it up by concealing a major, major part of his life from her--a secret revealed at the worst possible moment. Only at the end of the film, when he has lost nearly everything, is he finally worthy of Jane's love. Fassbender captures the pride, passion, and inner turmoil of this fascinating character.
In a time period where men ruled over women, sometimes with love and a protective hand, other times with an iron fist, Bronte created a male character who must learn to be humble in order to win a woman's love. No wonder the book was scandalous when it was first published! Jane really is a proto-feminist. Although she desperately loves Rochester, when she finds out about his deception (those who have read the book or seen a film adaptation know what I'm talking about!), her only choice is to leave him. As she puts it: "I must respect myself". This sentiment makes the film seem very old-fashioned. In a world where capitalism and immediate self-gratification are the norm, for someone to have moral convictions they stick to, even when it hurts like hell, seems quaint and prudish. But this adaptation of Jane Eyre sees beyond this surface self-denial--Jane's spirit and moral character ultimately serve as her liberation. No matter how poorly and unfairly she is treated by others, she can still hold her head up. And in the end, dear reader, she still gets to marry her man.3.5 out of 5 stars
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