As big fans of Cary Fukunaga‘s debut “Sin Nombre,” we’ve been anticipating his follow-up, a new adaptation of Charlotte Bronte‘s classic novel “Jane Eyre” for quite some time. But it’s not been a home-run by any means: the novel’s been frequently filmed as it is, most recently by Zeffirelli in 1997, with Charlotte Gainsbourg in the lead role, and a 2006 BBC TV version starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens. For all the talk of a fresh take (and the non-traditional hire of Fukunaga, whose first film wasn’t exactly a staid costume drama) would the new version be able to break some new ground?
With a trailer hitting Yahoo this evening, the answer seems to be ‘yes.’ While the surroundings and costumes may be a little familiar, the Gothic tone of the clip captures something from the book that’s so often missing from the adaptations — the film looks to be as close to a classic ghost story like “The Innocents” as to something like “Pride & Prejudice.”
If you bunked off high school English, the plot involves the titular troubled orphan, who, while working as a governess, falls for the brooding Edward Rochester, a man with a terrible secret in his house.
The cast includes Playlist favorites Mia Wasikowska as Jane, Michael Fassbender as Rochester, and Imogen Poots as Blanche Ingram, with Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, Sally Hawkins, Simon McBurney, Harry Lloyd, Sally Hawkins, Tamzin Merchant and Holliday Grainger also cropping up.
The film hits theaters, via Focus Features, on March 11th next year — one of the few moments of concern, as surely if the film was top-notch, it’d be rushed into theaters for the awards season this year, or held back till next fall? But everything else we’ve seen looks enormously promising (the visuals are pretty gorgeous, particularly that closing shot), and we can’t wait to see the finished film.
I must admit that I truly disliked the trailer, I think that the leading actress doesn\’t have Jane\’s spirit and vivacity. I think it was a really bad choice that might compromise the entire movie. Besides, the novel isn’t gothic and as no similarities with ghosts’ stories, so I don’t understand the need to make it look like one. Actually I am quite frightened of what may come out of there. Well, the story is brilliant so it cannot be that bad.
There\’s nothing really gothic about the story. In fact, it\’s pretty much a fairy tale given what happens to Jane by the end of the novel. Whereas many young woman during those times were subject to loveless and abusive marriages, Jane actually gets to chose between two nice dudes!
Try Balzac\’s Eugenie Grandet. That\’s a better depiction of those times. Jane Eyre is a call to action for female rights, which is why it\’s so powerful, but it\’s not dark and gloomy in any way. I mean, she just happens to come across St.John while she\’s on the brink of death! How convenient.
I guess I\’m the only Playlister who thought this looked like \”Sleepy Hollow\” (and I like that film)? Yeah, this trailer didn\’t do it for me.
I do hope it\’s just a trailer and that the finished film is total atmosphere, and a lot more subtle than this, but yeah, not yet convinced.
adsakfnsdkgsklj holy shit this just made my night. Fukunaga, Fassbender– I cannot wait until March 11th for this!!!!
So good. I\’m stunned it doesn\’t show up in trailers more often.
correct, Suspiria music by Goblin there for a second, the twinkling music. love that score.
Holy shit, is that the opening credits theme from Suspiria?