Deb Finally Gets to See Jane Eyre 2011

(Before we get to the fun stuff, please take a moment to pray for those whose lives were devastated this week by storms in the south.  Thank you!)

by Debra E. Marvin

Well the big event of the week is over.
Yes, I cried.
And now it's back to 'normal'. And normal for me happens to include another famous British couple. No story book romance by far, but one of the most popular stories by an English author, and the one most often brought to the screen...Jane Eyre.

                    Image by madelinetosh via Flickr

I recently had the chance to see the new movie with one of my best friends, who admitted she read Jane Eyre over and over in her youth.  I'd just finished watching the last production (Masterpiece Theater) for the nth time and was listening to the book on audio. I was ready!

I feel like the mother of twins--and if you know the story, we'll say a pair of Mr. Eshton's twins. It is inevitable to compare these two last versions, but, like a good mom, I can't say I love one more than the other. Let me tell you why.

I loved, LOVED the score from this theatrical release and the cinematography was stunning! I'm so glad I got to see it in the theater! I know  a lot of people have not been able to.

BUT MOSTLY...

The acting was superb. Oh my!Image by Lyon & Pan via Flickr 

Mia Wasikowska may be my favorite Jane and Michael Fassbender my favorite Edward Rochester. May be...because the story is also about the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester and I truly loved the RELATIONSHIP aspect in the television version  with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens.

"Because," he said, "I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to
you--especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a
string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably
knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of
your little frame. And if that boisterous Channel, and two hundred
miles or so of land come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of
communion will be snapt; and then I've a nervous notion I should
take to bleeding inwardly. As for you,--you'd forget me."

For someone who loves Charlotte Bronte's dark romantic tale as much as I do, I found the new movie gut-wrenching. I will buy it and watch it over and over. Here's the trailer if you've missed it.

But I can't say it's my favorite version because the differences between the two versions are striking enough that I left the theater feeling they were two different stories.

Like twins--both my Janes have essentially the same characters and plot, but up close, the nuances and personalities were completely different. Masterpiece theater's version was much longer (four hours compared to two) affording more time to develop the relationship and that is the major difference in these two productions.

What I absolutely love about the 2006 version is how the relationship develops. We can see them fall in love; they seem to be so right for each other. That is a bit lacking in the new movie.

But I still strongly recommend you see it. Sumptious details. Wait until you see the costumes!

It swept me away and I don't think you'll be disappointed!

FYI- have you seen any of the other 'recent' versions?
1983 TV - Timothy Dalton as Mr. R
1997 TV - Ciaran Hinds as Mr. R
1996 Theater -William Hurt as Mr. R

Are you a fan of Jane Eyre? What's your opinion of any of these versions?
Guess what? It's showing closer to home now, so I just might pop in and see it again next week. Come on over and join me.

Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. Debra likes to write, weed and wander and is blessed to have the best family and friends in the world. She lives just close enough to her grandchildren. She’s thankful each day that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor.

    
Her work has finaled in the TARA, Great Expectations, Heart of the Rockies, Maggie, Rattler and most recently, the Daphne DuMaurier. Not too bad considering she’s trying a mashup of gospel and . . .  gothic.