I have read Jane Eyre many, many times and was stunned to see the images from my own mind projected on screen. I've never been to Yorkshire, but the director captures the essence of the story as I myself have mentally lived it time and time again. It was unusual to have the narration begin in the middle of the book, but it works. The story is told in a masterly fashion, without unnecessary emphasis on the "Gothic horror" aspect so beloved of many filmmakers. Mrs Rochester gets about a minute of screen- time, because in this version her hidden presence is not the point. This is a film about Jane herself, about how she goes from unwanted orphan to governess to "freeborn independent human being" who learns to make her own way in the world. Having seen several screen adaptations of this novel, I can inequivocally say this is, in my opinion, the best of the lot. No facile emotionalism, no cheap effects--just excellent cinematography. I was struck again and again by the attention to detail that made the film a well-crafted jewel that will bear watching again and again. There's even a closeup of Jane in her simple grey dress and tucker, looking much like the famous Richmond portrait of Charlotte Bronte. The director and scriptwriter have done a sterling job in selecting the truly important plot points, events and dialogue from the novel to bring it alive for the viewer. One of the few films that will not disappoint fans of the original book, and will make the book attractive for those who haven't read it yet.
Review of Jane Eyre
