By Radhika Tandon

Radhika Tandon
22ENG0627
Jane Eyre Film Review

The film “Jane Eyre” is based on a novel of the same name, written by Charlotte Bronte in the early nineteenth century. The story revolves around Jane Eyre, a young woman who takes up the job of a governess at Thornfield Hall after placing an ad for employment. She tutors the young Adele, the daughter of the seemingly menacing Mr. Rochester. As Jane and Mr. Rochester develop feelings for each other, Mr. Rochester’s dark secrets threaten to reveal themselves and ruin the couple. Directed by Robert Young and starring Samantha Morton as Jane Eyre and Ciarán Hinds as Mr Rochester, this adaptation manages to strike a balance between staying true to the source material and infusing its own artistic interpretation.

The film’s cinematography closely replicates the ambience that the novel conveys. The mysterious and gloomy landscape of Thornfield is able to add to the unnatural occurrences in the plot. The film's score, composed by Richard G. Mitchell, adds a haunting quality to the film, complementing the shady atmosphere and showcasing the emotional depth of the characters' experiences. The pacing is slow and steady, which may make modern audiences impatient, who are now used to today’s fast storytelling. However, it gives a chance for the viewers to feel the complex emotions more in-depth.

Samantha Morton played the role of Jane Eyre with ease. She was able to capture the independent, intelligent yet lonely nature of her character perfectly. Ciaran Hinds also played a remarkable role, portraying the brash nature of Mr Rochester who has a vulnerable spot for Jane. Both the actors were able to portray the passion and the complex emotions that their characters held for each other.

Without losing the essence of the plot, Kay Mellor's script is able to condense the novel's wide narrative into an engaging cinematic experience. The story becomes mainly focused on Jane and Mr. Rochester as a result of the time restrictions, which resulted in the reduction of some secondary plot sequences and characters in the film.

In conclusion, this 1997 version of “Jane Eyre” perfectly captures the spirit of the original novel. It may not have the grandeur other literary adaptations do, but the raw emotions, complex characters and the qualities of intelligence and independence in a woman reach out to audiences to this day.