Jane Eyre (2011)

There's been many, many takes on the story of Jane Eyre with the most recent being the 2006 version starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens. This time Sin Nombre (2009) director Cary Fukunaga has a go, producing a film that is gloomy, depressing, but also enjoyable.

For those of you who don't know the story; Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) is a very self-assured governess who happens to fall in love with her new employer, Mr Rochester (Michael Fassbender). But not is all as it seems as Mr Rochester tries to hide his terrible secret.

Jane is first seen in childhood played by Amelia Clarkson, who shows great spirit and determination despite of the callousness shown to her, first by her Auntie (Sally Hawkins) and then from the orphanage who try and groom her into the woman she will eventually become. This chapter really helps the audience see the type of Woman Jane will become before she is sent to work at the Thronfield estate and Mr Rochester. As plain and quite sad looking Jane, Wasikowska (Wasi to her friends) manages to show great restraint in her performance. There's no doubting Mia is a naturally beautiful woman but is able to hide it well. The real beauty comes from the fact that she manages to exude that sense of authority but also seem child like in her own skin-especially when she is around Mr Rochester. Few leading men at the moment could play the variety of roles that Fassbender has over the last few years. As Mr Rochester you never know what to expect, he can be very charming and warm one minute and evil and sinister the next. Of course if Fukunaga stuck closely to the book, we'd of got a fat balding man (don't hear to many ladies complaining about Fassbender getting the role). The film also has a talented supporting cast with Jamie Bell and Judi Dench giving good, if somewhat routine performances.

Early on in the film, Jane seems more the victim then his saviour. It's only until later in the film we finally see her real strength and gradually see a role reversal, with Mr Rochester seeming weak and unable to cope without Jane. It's just a shame the chemistry isn't quite there between the two brilliant actors. No matter how you look at it, Jane is still very young (passing for 19 but easily looks 16) whereas Mr Rochester could pass for 40. It's also a shame that the film doesn't show a more darker side. Yes the film has a dark feel to it but fails to explore the midnight screams and the secret room in enough detail. I think this would've enhanced the audiences experience and done something a little different to other film versions.

There's no doubting Jane Eyre is a beautiful film to look at and shows just how gloomy and depressing England can be. It's just a shame the leads don't quite match, with the ending also failing to live up to the build-up. The costume drama seems to be a very niche drama but despite that general definition, the style often refers to English period pieces and Jane Eyre is no different. This won't detract fans of the genre but is unlikely to convert any new fans.