By Soumi Bandopadhyay

Film Review: ‘Jane Eyre’
Name of the film: ‘Jane Eyre’ (adaptation of the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847)
Director of the film: Robert Young
Produced by: Greg Brenman
Year of production: 1997
Genre: Bildungsroman Romance
Cast: Samantha Morton as Jane, Ciaran Hinds as Rochester, Laura Harling as Young Jane, Gemma Jones as Mrs. Fairfax, Timia Berthone as Adele, David Gant as Brocklehurst.
Duration: 1hr 48minutes
Language: English

Synopsis: I started watching the movie with very low expectations because, as we know it is an adaptation of the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte. Who was a writer in Victorian era. It is often observed that most of the adaptations of any novel has a lot of discrepancies and gap.

But this adaptation of the movie is far better. It was the time period when women writers were coming up. The women of the nineteenth century were trying to rise and establish themselves. There was a social, political change going on at that time. In the movie, it is shown that young Charlotte Bronte had the experience of living in poverty as a governess. Being a governess, actually had no life at all. The movie is able to provide an overall view of how women were treated in the Victorian era. It shows us how the educated women were only expected to join and do certain kind of jobs. Also, this movie shows us how an orphan was taken care and treated in those times.

Though the story tends to deviate away from the more depressing and theological aspects of the novel, it does however make the story unpredictable. The chemistry between Jane and Rochester is shown in almost the same way as in book. Especially, when Jane and Rochester part ways- it was interesting to watch the emotions grow.

The movie’s colour scheme, the lighting and the costumes were very much appropriate in respect to the Victorian era. The whole set up, the Gothic elements in the architecture made the film much more realistic, aesthetic and vintage vibe. This helps the audience to connect more and understand the plot, setting and the characters in a better way.
Rating: 4/5