The New Jane Eyre Movie Review

[pixiechick_sw]

I just got back from seeing the new Jane Eyre movie. I have been looking forward to this for a long time. I even wore my fan-girl t shirt that says, "I know what Grace Poole does in the attic..." Yes, I am a geek. I restrained myself from bringing my Charlotte Bronte bag. I figured one fan-girl prop was enough. No one got it anyway. They never do.

Comments

[olmue]

I don't remember which version I saw in the 1980s, but there was a TV one that was really nice. I agree about the monster in the attic--so atmospheric! One reason I loved Jackie Dolamore's Magic Under Glass was that nod to Jane Eyre. I've always been more a Jane Eyre sorta girl than an Austen one. (Please don't throw tomatoes.)

Watching movies with the over-70 crowd sounds a lot like watching opera with 7th graders behind you, lol.

[pixiechick_sw]

I agree about Jackie's book being fun because it's a nod to Jane Eyre. And I'm more of a Bronte girl than an Austen girl, too. I actually heard the director of this movie interviewed on NPR and he talked about that comarison. He said that Austen-ites are the cheerleaders and Bronte-ites are the goth kids. I could never take myself seriously enough to be goth, but I think the comarison is right on and if I'm one of those, I'm the Bronte one. :)

Yep. The 70+ crowd was probably a lot like an opera with 7th graders. :D

[olmue]

It does seem like people are either-or on the Austen-Bronte spectrum. Not sure I agree with the goth vs. cheerleader, but I'm a Bronte! My sister and I like the same genres, but within that, we usually like opposite books. Things that really move me leave her cold or bored. Things she finds deep and important sometimes seems shallow to me. I thought I'd test the theory, so I asked her which she liked better. Sure enough--she's an Austen.

Hm. Maybe I'm secretly goth inside, too.

[shaelise]

I just had a similar experience. I took my mom to a movie on Monday and realized that she was going to be the senior talking loudly throughout and I was going to be the one slidding down in my chair as people turned to glare at us. :) (Luckily, no one did). She actually quieted down once it got started but there were lots of other seniors there to make up for the silence when she was quiet. And my mom, I know, doesn't even realize she's talking that loud since she can't hear well. She thinks she's whispering. :) So it just made me and my girls smile.
I'll have to go see Jane Eyre but I agree, I love the monster in the house portion of the book -- I wish they'd played it up more in the movie (from what you've said). Hope your own work is coming along great.

[pixiechick_sw]

I'm sure your mom and the seniors at the show I was watching had no idea they were talking loudly. I'm sure they just thought they were having fun at the movies with their friends--and I hope they were.

It's weird about the monster in the house thing because I heard the director interviewed on NPR and he said he went all out with that part, but really, I think it missed the boat. It' still good, though.

Work is coming along well--I think. :) I hope yours is, too.

[ext_498668]

I am especially taken with this review by one aspect of what you say - which is your ability to compare the creative struggle with your own, with neither pomp nor false modesty. It makes me believe your assessment and if I were to go see the movie it would inform my expectation: indeed it might encourage me to go if the opportunity were to arise (which it almost certainly won't!). More than that, though... it makes me want to read your work too, with positive expectation. I hope that soon I will.

[pixiechick_sw]

Thanks, Danny.