The best Jane Eyre adaptation made to date !! (Jane Eyre [2006] (DVD))

Member Name: Jcapulet

Product:	Jane Eyre [2006] (DVD)
Date:	21/01/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything !!

Disadvantages: None in my opinion, but traditionalists may not enjoy certain parts of the novel being condensed !!

This version of Jane Eyre was on TV over the Christmas period and I thought that I'd probably turn over within the first 30 minutes since a) I love the classics but rarely enjoy the adaptations b) it's on for a fair while, nearly 4 hours and in one go I thought that I may have struggled to sit still for long enough. However, the time flew by and it's by far my favourite Jane Eyre adapation to date !!

Ruth Wilson plays a wonderful Jane, but it was Toby Stephens' character of Mr Rochester that stole the show. In general the cast was well chosen ( although I admit, I probably preferred Fiona Shaw's version of Mrs Reed in an earlier adaptation as she had 'Harry-Potter's-Aunt-Petunia-like' characteristics about her and I could almost hear her sending Jane to the cupboard under the stairs !! ) The views, costumes, sets and scenery were wonderful too. A fabulous quality production through and through. The story line in the film mostly focuses on the romance between Jane and Mr Rochester, with only the first half an hour or so highlighting Jane's past and misfortunes and later on much reducing the time spent on showing Jane's time away from the Rochester estate later in the novel. Nevertheless, the changes make this adaptation just as enjoyable, although very strict tradionalists ( usually like me when it comes to novels and adaptations ) may not enjoy this adaptation for this very fact.

It's sometimes difficult to review films without giving too much away, as even though I had read the novel many times previously and have seen other adaptations and still throughly enjoyed this one, it must be nice to watch a costume drama for the first time, not knowing what happens next. All I shall say is that the chemistry between Ruth and Toby is evident as it should be and Toby manages to play his complicated character to perfection. The incidents and secrets are played out as they should be and has as many up and downs as you'd expect. If you haven't read the novel then the adaptation may inspire you to do so and vice versa. All in all, I'd recommend this for anyone with a love for well-made costume dramas !!

Summary: A well-made and wel-cast period drama and don't let the running time put you off !!