A classic.
Jane Eyre is a classic story, written by Charlotte Brontë in 1847, and brought to life in the stunning film adaption by Cary Fukanaga.
The film follows the principles of the book, making it fresh, and in an age of cynicism towards remakes and studio rehashes, it actually comes together as a beautiful, and relevant tale.
The story follows our protagonist, Jane Eyre, as she runs away, from what and where is unclear, but there's fear and desperation in her lungs. Throughout the film we're given the flashbacks of how she has come to be, from her youth with an overruling Aunt, to her school years, and to her first job. It's a tale of woe, and one with a dark nature.
Even with the story's age and probable dissection in English classes throughout the world, I don't want to spoil the tale. It's a film which takes a young girl through the steps until she is a woman. It takes fear, desire, depression, and youth, corrupting them and pushing us through the journey.
I was surprised with the believable nature of the story, (even more so than 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes') as the characters just felt real. It had the depth you'd expect from a novel and took us on the same journey, with all the details on the way. The film really does hit home the emotion when it needs to, the character's and their individual plights don't feel forced, naturally finding themselves within their predicaments, dealing with the hand they've got.
It is both a credit to Brontë's realism in writing, and Fukanaga's direction that the film literally feels like its happened, and that it is happening for the first time in front of your eyes.
Overall, the film oozes beauty, the opening is one of the most stunning in recent memory, and haunts with its grace. The soundtrack is fantastic, going with the classic aesthetic, whilst retaining the needed emotion and most of all, unease.
The acting is fantastic, Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender come off as revelations, and their chemistry is at times unbearably unsettling, with the deep stares, lips poised and rearing.
In all respects, its a fantastic tale, brilliantly told, and beautifully brought to life. Even with my dislike of period dramas, Jane Eyre is my film of the year. A haunting and fascinating look into the past, and one I shall not soon forget.
9/10