Jane Eyre

Mia Wasikowska stars in the title role of Jane Eyre in the film adaptation of the same title. The story tells the story of governess Jane whose bleak childhood evicts her from a relative's home to a cruel educational institution that she leaves to take a governess role for a Mr Rochester (Michael Fassbender)'s young ward Sophie.  After initially meeting a gruff man, Rochester softens towards her and the pair fall in love. Only marriage was not to be when his secret is revealed on their wedding day, driving Jane away until she decides to return to Rochester and his home.

The film opens in the present with Jane running away from a manor through woods and barren land and in the rain, arriving at the doorstep of the Rivers.  Intertwining between her childhood and how she came to the Rivers, the story then settles into her arrival at Rochester's home with a deliberate pace that matches the restraint in the actors. With the propriety suited to the era, our leads' romance is generally smothered except for exchanging wits and words.

For those who've read the book the film seemed to have turned out well, for those who haven't you'll be left thinking mediocre and that the book should get on your reading list to see what got left out.


3/5