Movies that will be consistently overrated by imdb voters and critics alike:
5. NYC films released exclusively to NYC audiences
4. Films people don’t understand
3. Political POV/narrow audience films
2. Anything starring Daniel Day-Lewis
1. Historical costume drama
Jane Eyre consistently begs the question, “if this is good, what is bad?” It doesn’t look or feel like the Charlotte Brontë classic. And I leave the film wondering why I should care about Jane or Rochester or their issues. It’s like being stuck in the first ten minutes of any Pride & Prejudice when Mr. Darcy is still a dick.
This version of Jane Eyre is told in flashback form. Jane (Mia Wasikowska; she was also literary heroine Alice last year) opens the movie by running away and then the film moves back in time and we get to guess what brought her to such a state. I’m quite sure Charlotte Brontë would have made that part of her book had it only occurred to her to do so. Cary Fukunaga was probably attempting to make a statement about how Jane’s passion for Rochester (Michael Fassbender) became so strong that only a desperate painful flight could describe her state. Seeing the events that occurred before it, however, I was left wondering how Jane or Rochester, both existing fully within a realm of bland and forgettable portrayals, could feel strong emotion at all. For anything.
Do you remember how the book was scary? When we the reader finally learn Rochester’s secret we are overwhelmed by the passage. Now it’s generally speaking not fair to bring out the novel – the movie has to stand or fall on its own. I find myself compelled to bring out the novel here because motivations seem to be missing otherwise. If he feels such passion, why is Rochester so aloof? Makes perfect sense in the novel. Here … less. You’re actually getting credit where you deserve none, Mr. Fukunaga. Without Ms. Brontë, this work barely rates above Bright Star.
You can bring out all the costumes, estates and lordly nobles you like, but, people, and I speak to all of you here, you can’t perpetuate interest from clothing or setting alone. The same is true whether the director is James Ivory or George Lucas.
Rated PG-13, 120 Minutes
D: Cary Fukunaga
W: Moira Buffini
Genre: Poorly adapted novel
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Suckers for “guess why we’re in love”
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: The impatient
