Jane Eyre

These past ten days I’ve been watching the four Jane Eyre DVDs that I have. Timothy Dalton in 1983 may be an old film without modern movie making amenities but his and Zelah Clarke’s acting are superb

Charlotte Gainsbourg gives a sadly wooden performance opposite William Hurt in the 1996 version. I can never tell by looking at her facial expressions just what she is feeling. Jane Eyre must have felt anguish, terror, love, passion, even anger, surely despair. But you never see it in her performance. Alas the film tries to squeeze a long story into a short film. Bah.

Ciaran Hinds and Samantha Morton do a fine job (Gemma Jones is always fine) in 1997. But the cream of all the depictions is Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson in 2006. Everything about this version is exquisite including the scenery, music and cast.

I can barely watch one without following up with the others, to compare, to critique, to savor the best parts. They are quite unequal dramas trying to tell the basically same story but sadly failing to do so. Each Mr. Rochester is excellent exuding the personality, frustration and agony that pours out from him. All the supporting casts are fulfilling in their portrayals. Alas all the Jane Eyres are not so equal. Three are excellent in my estimation.

Somehow the Mr. Rochesters go on to other leading roles, but the Jane Eyre actors don’t seem to be able to further their careers. What gives with that?

I think it is time to re-read the book again. Like Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte (and her sister’s) books can be read over and over again bringing forth the same enjoyment and actually finding something new that I had not noticed before.