Jane Eyre (2011 film)



This film adaptation of the novel Jane Eyre was released in 2011.

Focus Features produced this film, starring Mia Wasikowska as Jane, Michael Fassbender as Rochester, Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax, and Jamie Bell as St. John, and directed by Cary Fukunaga.

"Diana: "Isn't Jane our sister, too?" St. John: [Hesitates, then kisses Jane on the lips]"
 * Almost Kiss: When Rochester is "thanking" her for saving him from the fire.
 * Beard of Sorrow
 * Cat Scare: Just before Jane encounters Rochester, she is startled by a bird.
 * Dawson Casting: Mia Wasikowska was 20, two years older than Jane's 18 - though like Charlotte Gainsbourg in the 1996 film, she fits the part well.
 * Dutch Angle: When Helen dies, the camera is tilted as Jane is taken away.
 * Early-Bird Cameo: The positioning of the Rivers section as framing narrative means that all three of the Rivers siblings get these.
 * Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette / Messy Hair: Bertha.
 * "Falling in Love" Montage: To the film's credit, it's not overdone.
 * Identical Stranger: While not identical, there is a strong resemblance between Adèle and the younger Jane, highlighting how Jane identifies with Adèle.
 * Like Brother and Sister: Invoked, and subverted.


 * Longing Look: There are a lot of these.
 * Pragmatic Adaptation: The restructuring of the film into using the Rivers sequence as a framing narrative, and the childhood and Rochester sections as semi-flashback material qualify as a clever attempt to reshape the story's unwieldy, commonly frustrating structure into a satisfying two hour film. The film might otherwise qualify for Adaptation Distillation, though many events and causes are finessed to fit a more "naturalistic" rather than Romantic tone.
 * Relationship Compression: Jane and Rochester seem to fall for each other rather quickly (to be fair, it's extremely hard to keep the relationship building sections while trying to include the full plot of the novel).
 * Say My Name: Well, Say His Name.
 * Spiteful Spit: Bertha casually spits at Jane.
 * Vertigo Effect: Twice. First during the Red Room scene, just before an ash cloud explodes from the fireplace, and second just before Jane meets Rochester for the first time (after being startled by the bird).
 * Woman in White: Bertha.