At age 10, Jane Eyre (Amelia Clarkson), is an orphan who lives with her odious aunt (Sally Hawkins) who has no use for her and considers her a liar. Truth be told, this strong-willed little girl is not a liar but this label stays with her when she is sent to a charity school run by cruel Christians who believe in the positive power of physical punishment. There she is befriended by Helen (Freya Parks), the only other person having the spunk to stand up to the nasty staff. But just when Jane is savoring the healing balm of friendship, Helen dies of consumption. At the school Jane does get a thorough education.
As a teenager, Jane (Mia Wasikowska) arrives at the Thornfield estate to become the governess of Adele (Romy Settbon Moore). She is not quite sure what to make of this gigantic and forbidding mansion owned by Edward Rochester (Michael Fassbender). Mrs. Fairfax (Judi Dench), the chatty housekeeper, fills her in on all the essentials of her job, and shows her to her room, which after her school experiences is quite luxurious.
Jane has her first dramatic encounter with Rochester when he falls from his horse after trying to avoid running over her. Later, she is delighted to find that he is quite interested in her. He invites her to converse with him in the drawing room. He seems willing to ignore the societal walls that divide them as nobleman and commoner, employer and employee. Through intimate dialogue, they both realize that the yearning they have for each other is a sign that they belong together. But Rochester has a dark secret, and once it is revealed, Jane flees in despair across the moor.
She finds a sweet sanctuary with St. John Rivers (Jamie Bell), a sincere and devout Christian missionary with two sisters (Holliday Grainger and Tamzin Merchant). But when he wants to move beyond the brother and sister relationship she wants, Jane must make up her mind who she wants to spend the rest of her life with.
Cary Joji Fukunaga (Sin Nombre) directs this new screen version of Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel. A perennial presence on school reading lists, Jane Eyre has been adapted for the screen 27 times — 18 feature films and 9 television versions.
What is immediately noticeable is Fukunaga's ability to create moods to match what is happening in Jane's life. The landscapes, the weather, and the lighting all converge to express a variety of emotional states. Windows with bars are another very effective visual effect. We couldn't help notice how many times Jane's yearning is conveyed as she gazes out one of those windows intended to limit her view and her aspirations.
The director also does a wonderful job showcasing the wit and the surprising connections which come from the fireside chats between Rochester, a sophisticated and seasoned man of the world, and Jane Eyre, a young woman awakening to her sexuality and struggling valiantly to find her own special place in the world. She brings out a tenderness in him and he calls forth a stubborn spunkiness that has been repressed in her. The blooming of their romantic feelings for each other is a joy to behold!
Special features on the DVD include deleted scenes; a look inside Jane Eyre; to score Jane Eyre, director Cary Fukunaga and score composer Dario Marianelli team up; the mysterious light of Jane Eyre; and a feature commentary with director Fukunaga.
