Movie Review: Jane Eyre

Hi folks, on Saturday night I stopped reading and went to the flicks. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law came too. Since it was a girly night, we went to see "Jane Eyre". I know this book pretty well, and was interested to see what the movie version would be like.

In short, even though they jumped around a bit rather than going in chronological order, it was a wonderful adaptation. I was glad that I knew the story for three reasons. Firstly, it helped with all that jumping. The story began with a distraught Jane running away from Thornfield Hall. We don't know who she is, what she is running from or why (Well, I did, but the "viewer" is left to guess). When Jane reaches the safety of St John's house she falls into a swoon and when she revives, begins to tell her life story, cue flashbacks to her childhood at Gateshead and her experiences at school.

The second reason I was glad I knew what was happening was because it was scary. I jumped several times. But I was not too scared, because I remembered there are no ghosts or supernatural activity in the story and that nothing happens to Jane that she can't eventually come to terms with.

The third reason is that I enjoy the superior feeling that comes from knowing there are certain plot elements left out. I am one of those people who would sit through a five hour version of the novel that was more faithful to the author's vision. Many of the characters were totally left out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie adaptation. I got totally involved with Jane's emotions and carried away with the romantic moments. I even shed a little tear. The main actress, Mia Wasikowska is a Canberra girl and she has done us all proud. I gave it five stars.

Preview available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8J6Cjn06kA

In slightly related news, I would like to direct you to a blog offering a giveaway of a Lizzy Bennett/Mr Darcy brooch, featuring text from that loveliest of love stories, Pride and Prejudice. Please go and have a look if you are interesting in such things.
http://twocheekymonkeysdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/excitement-plus-pride-and-prejudice.html