By Jayant

MOVIE REVIEW : JANE EYRE ( 1997 )

"Jane Eyre" is a 1997 movie based on a classic novel by Charlotte Bronte. This 1997 adaptation is a faithful and probably the best portrayal of the timeless love story between Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester . Directed by Robert Young, this film perfectly captures the essence of the 19th-century Gothic romance while giving strong performances and beautiful scenes .
It tells the story of a young woman named Jane Eyre. She is an orphan who goes to work as a governess at a mysterious and gloomy mansion called Thornfield Hall. There she meets the enigmatic , moody and arrogant Mr. Rochester. The film delves into their complex relationship, filled with secrets and mysteries that haunt the grand estate. Samantha Morton stars as Jane Eyre, delivering a great performance. Her portrayal of Jane's strength, resilience, and inner beauty was really good .
Opposite Morton, Ciarán Hinds plays Mr. Rochester . The chemistry between Morton and Hinds is really good , and their on-screen interactions are filled with tension and passion. For a movie with such a short running time, I must admit that I found its production values very good . The cinematographer of the film did an excellent job in providing a great deal of atmosphere into his shots without allowing the movie to look too gloomy. The screenplay remains faithful to the source material while fitting the novel's lengthy story into a short runtime. While some details are lost, the film captures the emotional core of the story, focusing on the central themes of love, independence, and the search for belonging.
The costumes also perfectly captured the 1830s in the film’s sequences featuring Jane’s childhood with the Reeds and at Lowood School and also the 1840s in which the rest of the movie was set. For me, the most fascinating scene turned out to be Rochester’s attempt to prevent Jane from leaving Thornfield Hall. He used every emotional response possible – passion , desperation , anger , love etc. – to get her to stay with her but she stood strong with her decision and resisted him .
So according to me this version of ”JANE EYRE” was not perfect but one of the best adaptation for sure . I found its 108 minute running time too short for its story But I must admit that despite this shortcoming , I found this adaptation to be good thanks to the focus upon the Jane Eyre/Edward Rochester relationship . With its stunning cinematography and production and a great cast , this adaptation is a must-watch for both fans of the book and those new to the story.
By : Jayant Rana
Roll no. : 22ENG0615
Semester : 3