Jane Eyre: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M

Released by Universal Home Ent

Alice in Wonderland's Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) stars as Jane Eyre in this adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s romance from 1847, co-made with the BBC and looking all the more lavish for it.

Michael Fassbender stars as Mr Rochester, alongside Judi Dench as Mrs Fairfax and Jamie Bell.

For the uninitiated, Jane Eyre, a poor orphan is sent to Thornfield Hall to work as the governess and ends up gradually falling for Fassbender’s Mr Rochester – who harbours a secret.

But it’s not as simple as that as we see her childhood in flashbacks and how she was abused by her school and family.

Sure, it’s a slowish film – which with a period drama like this isn’t a bad thing as it gives you an adaptation to wallow in . With beautiful costuming and attention to period detail – along with some truly bleak and yet stunning countryside from the North of England.

There’s a spooky atmosphere to start off with too – an ominous feel as she’s locked in a room with a fireplace in and you get a fright when smoke comes out the chimney –and there's also a couple of frights when a bird leaps out of the screen too – those in charge play on the whole make you jump moments as it’s a calm, quiet film with hardly any OST.

Wasikowska is quite good at getting the character and making her feel realistic – she does feel detached and is in keeping with the era; whereas Fassbender is moody, scowly and snappy. It's all about the tone rather than the words which is sometimes better for big screen outings of major books.

Lingering shots, sumptuous costumes and brilliant locations add to the feel of this film and a reminder that period drama is still being made well and is worth anyone's time.

Extras Deleted scenes, docos, commentaries

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