Waste of time

Powerful

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

The acting in this movie is really good.

I have seen many of the adaptations of "Jane Eyre" I like the original book so much that in each adaptation I usually find redeeming qualities as well as the opposite. Even with the most recent 2006 film.It must be very difficult to translate this story to film, since even with the many mini series, that have plenty of time to include aspects in the book, that two hour movies cannot, still seem rather lacking one way or another.Every one seems to have their favorite adaptation, and this one appears to be less often among them, with even harsh criticism of William Hurt in the role of Rochester.For me, although he does not have the dark hair and eyes Hurt's demeanor is more like the Rochester I grew fond of from the novel. I don't think it was the perfect representation, but He is my favorite, by far.Again physically, Jane Eyre was described differently in the novel, but just like Hurt, had the essence of the Jane from the novel.Most of the flaws I saw, were directorial and screenplay originated, and very much not the acting or the interpretations of the characters by the actors. And that the novel has too much information to squeeze in the many important aspects of it, into a two hour movie. Or even a mini series...obviously.This is still my favorite adaptation, but enjoy all of them, for the parts that the others don't have.I will continue to hope that one day, someone will come along, and follow the book onto the screen.

Jane Eyre (Anna Paquin) is an orphan living with her dead uncle Mr. Reed's family. His wife and kids are cruel to her. Mrs. Reed sends her to the Lowood Institution under the harsh Mr. Brocklehurst. She befriends Helen Burns who dies from neglect and sickness. Years later, Jane Eyre (Charlotte Gainsbourg) leaves her dead friend and her mentor Miss Temple to be the governess to French orphan Adèle Varens at at Thornfield Hall. Mrs. Fairfax (Joan Plowright) is the housekeeper and Edward Rochester (William Hurt) is the master. Strange things are happening in the estate. Her aunt dies after confessing her sins to Jane. Blanche Ingram (Elle Macpherson) arrives to be courted by Rochester.Paquin's Jane doesn't really match Gainsbourg's Jane. Paquin is playing a defiant rebel. She's Joan of Arc. Gainsbourg is a wallflower. I really like Paquin but she may not be doing the character right. At the very least, these are almost opposite characters. Nevertheless, the story is compelling and the romance is romantic. Franco Zeffirelli's directing is beautiful. The Charlotte Brontë novel is a romantic epic and this movie delivers that.

not so bad. and far to be a real adaptation of the most impressive novels of XIX century. it is inspired by Jane Eyre, it has the profound mark of Zeffireli who transforms the Bronte's masterpiece in a sketch or subjective resume . the characters, the atmosphere, the air of novel are present. but the lead characters are almost dolls. the connection between Jane and Rochester are conventions. the coherence of story is lost. the beautiful images are the characteristic of this admirable art but the heart of novel are not the costumes or gestures or looks or runs but the feelings. sure, it is far to be a bad film. it is , maybe , only one "ad usum delphini", invitation to discover the book. in same measure, it is saved by admirable performance of Joan Plowright and by the high good intentions of Charlotte Gainsborough to give more than cold sketch of an extraordinary character. but it is not easy to say if it is enough.so, a Zeffireli. inspired by the novel of Charlotte Bronte.

The much put upon Jane Eyre gets yet another adaption to the big screen with Charlotte Gainsbourg in the title role and William Hurt as the brooding Lord Rochester. As the story goes each becomes the other's savior at different points of the tale.I've always felt that the reason for Jane Eyre's enduring popularity is that it's a tale of both resilience and courage for women in an age when if woman did not have man's protection she was adrift and in trouble. Women were little more than chattel during the Victorian times that Jane Eyre was written.Anna Paquin plays Jane as a child and Jane is one unloved child sent to live with relations who barely tolerate her. She's sent to board with a school run by John Wood playing school master Mr. Brocklehurst, a man with issues. She's treated cruelly and has to watch a young friend die from neglect. But it hardens her character though she wonders if love will come her way.When the grownup Jane Eyre now played by Gainsbourg leaves the school where she has become a teacher she gets a job with Lord Rochester's estate as a governess. The master of the house is rarely there and Gainsbourg is well established by the time William Hurt returns from one of his many trips abroad.Gainsbourg's responsibilities is to Lord Rochester's daughter Adele and she becomes mother and father to the child. The story of the mother is part of the reason for William Hurt's frequent absences. Something in Gainsbourg touches a sentimental and romantic part of Hurt's character. There's still a lot of problems to be resolved. In the end the relative economic positions have been reversed, but these two people need each other more than ever.Charlotte Bronte's novel has certainly got an enduring popularity, this is one of several adaptions to the big screen and small. Gainsbourg compares well with Joan Fontaine probably the most well known portrayer of Jane Eyre. William Hurt is good as Rochester, so good that you hardly notice his distinct American speech pattern. Then again Fontaine's Rochester was Orson Welles another American.Jane Eyre I've always felt was a feminist role model, a woman who makes her way in the world successfully when women were not legal and social equals. It's the reason the story will have an enduring popularity and this version can stand proudly besides previous adaptions.