Jane Eyre

Cary Fukunaga’s adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 original and rich classic ‘Jane Eyre’ has effectively been crafted by a non-linear structure of story telling through the 2011 film adaptation of Jane Eyre. The adrenalin packed contemporary vision of Jane Eyre’s Victorian novel was faithful as it retains all the intrinsic qualities of the original work. The fundamental issues and themes that Bronte explores are faithfully adhered to in the film. Though Fukunaga omits a number of subplots in order to concentrate the audience’s focus on the key relationships and themes, the simplification does not detract from Bronte’s purpose.   Thus the complex bonds between Bessie, Miss Temple, Mrs Reed and Jane are simplified and merely not evident, whilst the emotional contrast between Jane and Rochester are heightened. Moreover, Fukunaga ensures that the psychological and emotional aspect of Bronte’s classic remains an integral aspect of the cinematic version.

Mia Wasikowska adopted the roll of Jane Eyre, her small frame and mousy appearance belies her passionate, strong, wise soul. The Jane Eyre in the novel appeared to be more “small and plain” who had a firm grip of self respect and moral direction despite her abused upbringing the strength of her character was continuously demonstrated throughout the novel by the passion she carried out However Fukunaga’s Jane did not vividly portray her passion to the extent that it would define her as an individual, she did not question or fight against characters such as Rochester which was unlike and out of her character, thus an exclusion of her identity. Michael Fassbender who played Edward Rochester, in the novel wasn’t so handsome “I am sure most people would have thought him an ugly man” and was described as a much older man than Jane. However even though Fukunaga’s Rochester wasn’t old enough to be faithful to the novel,   he still achieved Rochester to be handsome but not excessively so, the traits of Mr Rochester was...