Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Jane Eyre: March 11- I Can't Wait!



I know, we've seen this before, but I am so excited, and now that I'm doing Laura's Jane Eyre readalong next month, I'm looking forward to the new movie even more.

Have you seen any of the previous film adaptations of Jane Eyre? I saw the 1983 BBC miniseries starring Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton, which I loved, and the 1996 movie with William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg, which I thought was atrocious even though I thought Gainsbourg was note-perfect as Jane. I'm optimistic about the casting of Mia Wasikowksa as Jane; I think she has the right look for the part, and from the trailer, the right personality. I loved Clarke's pluck and spirit but I always felt like, cute as she was, she was too old; Jane is supposed to be about 18 when she comes to Thornfield and Clarke looked like a pretty 35 to me. (And of course I enjoyed Doctor Who actress Mary Tamm as Blanche in that adaptation.) Gainsbourg was perfect but Hurt was awful and their film sped through the story at a full gallop; Jane leaves Thornfield and the story goes full tilt towards the conclusion, on the very same day. Huh? At least that's the way I remember it.

The BBC could take their time, and they did, filming almost the entire novel; the Hurt/Gainsbourg version clipped a whole third. I'll be interested to see how the new version handles the St. John Rivers section, the part the Hurt/Gainsbourg version left out. Some people don't like it or find it tiresome but I actually liked that section for its mystical elements and the family story, and it's the part of the story where Jane really comes into her own.

I don't know anything about the director, Cary Fukunaga; he seems inexperienced when it comes to feature films. So we'll see. But I know one thing- I'll be there on opening weekend. Will you?

23 comments:

Ruth @ Bookish Ruth said...

This is the only "must see" film of 2011 for me right now. I've seen, I think, every adaptation of Jane Eyre that's been produced during my lifetime (and several that pre-date me) so I'm very excited for a new one. I think my favorite so far is the most recent BBC production. I thought Ruth Wilson made an excellent Jane and Toby Stephens really captured the brooding nature of Rochester.

ImageNations said...

I can feel your excitement and now you are making me want to read, though I have no such book or a place to source from. I would look forward to seeing the film, rather.

Unknown said...

My only issue with the Gainbourg version was her French accent really came out most times and it was annoying. But I have to agree with Ruth, the Toby Stephens/Ruth Wilson version really charmed me.

But goodness do I love Zelah Clarke/Timothy Dalton version!

And yay for the readalong! I'm so excited:)

Pam said...

I have never seen a film adaptation of Jane Eyre, but I'm really looking forward to this one. I may try to squeeze in a rereading of the book. And now I"m intrigued by the two BBC productions mentioned here. I just need more hours in the day.

Audrey said...

Seeing as I love so many other books from this era, and I'm intrigued by the story of the Brontes, I've never been drawn to their books. But I've heard such wonderful things about this movie that I know I'll go see it - and maybe I'll change my mind!

Sara said...

I've seen the 1970s version with Sorcha Cusak, the 1980s adaptation with Zelah Clarke, the 1996 adaptation and the 2006 adaptation. The worst was the 1970s version -- too much voice over and not enough acting. The 2006 version is my favorite, even though it doesn't use a lot of lines directly from the text, because Ruth Wilson's Jane is pitch perfect. She manages to capture all of Jane's thoughts and emotions in the fewest words and expressions. I'm looking forward to the 2011 movie, because I read somewhere that it begins during the third part of the book -- when Jane runs away from Thornfield -- so most of her childhood and the love story with Rochester is told in flashbacks. I like this idea because previous movies tend to gloss over Jane and St. John's relationship to get back to the main love story. But St. John Rivers provides an interesting dichotomy to Rochester and the third part of the novel is where Jane really does come into her own.

Lynne Perednia said...

Hope this version turns out well. I haven't seen a perfect Jane Eyre, although many adaptations have different things to recommend them.

The 1970 TV version with Susanna York, who we just lost, and the late George C. Scott wasn't too bad. I loved the look of the Orson Welles movie, all black-and-white Gothic. And the Clarke/Dalton version has a lot going for it. Need to see the Wilson/Stephens version!

Zibilee said...

I had no idea that this was even in the works, and I am excited because I will be reading Jane Eyre for the first time next month! I have to see this! I have been wanting to read this book for the longest time, and have finally made a resolution to read a classic a month. This month it is Dorian Gray, and next month, Jane Eyre!

Blodeuedd said...

I can't wait *jumps up and down* :D

Marie Cloutier said...

Nana, JANE EYRE is public domain so you should be able to download a copy from Project Gutenberg here: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

Carin Siegfried said...

That gave me the chills! Looks fantastic! I reread this last year for book club so luckily it's still pretty fresh in my mind.

Melissa Ward said...

I can't wait! This looks like at least a very visually interesting film and kudos to Mia for actually looking plain. While I love Ruth Wilson from the 2006 adaptation, she just didn't "plain-up" enough for me (also, I like how Blanche is brunette, at least I think that's Blanche in the trailer).

Now I just have to hope Marcus Theatres will show this in my area. It really stinks when the two major movie theatres in town are owned by the same conglomerate and show nearly identical listings.

Frances said...

Of course I will be there! Love, love that book and will sit through any adaptation - even bad ones - but this promises great things. It will be a book geek love fest for opening weekend.

Erin said...

I've never read the book, so I definitely won't be seeing this adaptation until I've gotten to the novel! After that, we'll see. Enjoy!!

Lesley said...

Me neither! I am so excited, I'm doing a little happy dance in my head just typing this.

Another vote for the recent BBC adaptation, by the way - very, very good.

Maybe someday Colin Firth will play Rochester. That would be perfection. A girl can dream ...

Anonymous said...

There was another BBC adaptation in 2006 (ish?), with Toby Stephens, who is of course too good-looking really. But easily the best adaptation I've seen so far. I'm not writing off the new one, though -- am very very excited for it.

Michelle (Red Headed Book Child) said...

I wish I could say I've seen and/or read this. Sadly, I stink in regards to Jane Eyre.

Leora said...

I saw a very old version of Jane Eyre as a film.

I remember reading the book as a teen, but never getting past the orphanage. Then in my twenties I read it in a few days.

Look forward to the film, though they don't usually show these "better" films in Central New Jersey. Sigh.

Jeanne said...

I've never seen a movie version I liked, but have a few hopes for this one. It's hard to like a movie when you already love the book.

Kate said...

Looking forward to it!!

I shared this in my Friday Five post this week.

Have a great weekend!

Kathleen said...

I haven't seen any of the other movie versions but will look forward to this one. The trailer makes me want to see but I feel like I will want to reread the book first!

Meadowlark Layne said...

I'm so excited for this and that was actually the first time I've seen the trailer so thanks for posting.

I've seen the Orson Welles version, the William Hurt version and another older one (I don't remember who was in it exactly). None of them got it quite right, and I was disappointed. I have heard good things about the recent BBC one as well, but I think the casting for this is pretty genius and it just looks stunning, so I'm very stoked!

Rebecca Reid said...

watching that makes me want to read the novel again. it's so good! I'll have to see the movie sometime too. Although I don't go to the theater, so will wait for it to come out.