Haworth: not a World Heritage Site but a square in local Monopoly

A few more reviews of Jane Eyre 2011:

Positive

MetroTimes gives it an A-:

With so many versions, is there any life left in the old girl?
In the hands of exciting young filmmaker Cary Fukunaga, the answer is a resounding yes; his sumptuous, moody Eyre feels classic and thoroughly modern, a burst of freshness billowing through all those stuffy classical drapes. It's visual marvel, a mix of handheld and traditional techniques, with delicate, precise long takes, following Jane as she trudges across ominous moors, and later happily traipses through sun-dappled hedgerows. (Corey Hall)

Mostly positive

The Crimson gives it 3.5 stars:

Moira Buffini’s screenplay stays true in letter, if not in spirit, to the original novel’s basic storyline. [...]
Within this claustrophobic atmosphere, Wasikowska’s portrayal of Jane is ideal. Her statue-like stillness—reminiscent of the submissive femininity of the Victorian era—works well in contrast with her piercing gaze, which hints at a fire burning within her ostensibly docile character that societal conventions could not extinguish. Wasikowska walks an emotional tightrope throughout, projecting Jane’s fear and sadness concerning her relationship with Rochester from beneath a socially-imposed mask of passivity. She plays the character of Jane as though on the verge of a mental breakdown, and in doing so makes the emotional pain inflicted upon her character by the film’s events that much more palpable.
Less successful within the film, and particularly its horror-tinged environment, is Michael Fassbender as Jane’s would-be lover, Rochester. In line with the film’s more macabre stylings, Fassbender attempts to fuse Rochester’s charming façade with an element of unsettling instability—but the resulting performance is more confusing than engaging. [...]
Though not entirely successful in the endeavor, the film distinguishes itself as a unique adaptation by shifting the story’s tone from one of a classical romance to one of a dark and troubled love affair. Through it all, the film’s exquisite cinematography and artistic choices remind the audience that Jane’s tale is one of sorrow and woe at the hands of fate—circumstances that are only made bearable by the strength that she finds within herself. For all its unevenness, “Jane Eyre” deserves credit for enabling an old medium to convey a new message. (Charlotte D. Smith)

Fort Worth Weekly:

The scene when she leaves Rochester is well-played by the two actors, yet the movie never seems to give in to its emotions the way Jane gives in to hers. For all this director’s gifts, shock value and grand romantic passion don’t seem to be in his repertoire. Those aren’t qualities that you want Jane Eyre to be short of. Yet this sharply executed film has so much else to recommend it that Charlotte Brontë fans still have reason to line up. (Kristian Lin)

PhillyBurbs and Examiner Denver anticipate their local releases.

As for web 2.0 users The Cannonball reviews/discusses the movie, too. Reveries under the sign of Austen , Ernestina Marie Row Three and Ted Goes to the Movies also post about it.

The Parchment Girl, Book Harbinger and See Michelle Read have movie-related giveaways (US only, though).

On a slightly related note, Indie Movies Online wonders - not without reason - 'What's the deal with embedding Michael Fassbender's face in other people's bodies?' As the X-Men: First Class poster is quite reminiscent of the Jane Eyre poster, Indie Movies Online suggests

Jane X: Governess Class, anyone?

And now for the sad news. The Telegraph and Argus reports,

Community leaders in Haworth have expressed their disappointment after the village was snubbed in its bid to become a World Heritage Site.
Haworth, the second most visited literary shrine in the country after Stratford-Upon-Avon, has failed to make it into the final 11 nominations. [...]
Haworth Parish Council chairman, Councillor John Huxley said: “It is disappointing. Clearly we think Haworth had a good case. We won’t give up.
“World Heritage status would have helped gain more recognition worldwide and perhaps attracted more funding to help maintain the area.
“We have been working with Bradford Council conservation officers to improve the village. The setts are being renovated and conservation officers are giving advice about how to maintain the heritage of the village. There is lots of work going on.”
Brontë Parsonage Museum director Andrew McCarthy said: “It is disappointing but we have to accept there is a lot of stiff competition from some amazing locations.
“But Haworth and its environment is a unique place and of national and international interest.”
Councillor Anne Hawkes-worth, heritage champion for Bradford Council, said: “Obviously we are disappointed Haworth did not make the shortlist but there is always very tough competition and criteria to meet.
“It is essential we continue to support Haworth, as it is such an important and desirable tourist destination due to the Brontë connection and its beautiful setting.” (Clive White)

The newspaper's editorial discusses the subject:

Getting World Heritage Status would have added to that global fame. But perhaps more importantly, it would have opened up potential avenues of funding to help maintain and preserve the area.
The appeal of Haworth and Brontë Country cannot be underestimated to the district’s economy. [...]
Haworth and its surrounds may not be as grand as some of the other places put forward. But it is a very important site for the literary heritage of this country. And as such, it needs to be protected and preserved for future generations.
Let us hope it is looked at more favourably by those who nominate these locations next time it comes around.

But, to look at the bright side, The Telegraph and Argus also reports that

Hotels and houses will sprout up across Bradford and there will be plenty of free parking as the city gets its own version of iconic property game Monopoly.
Game manufacturers Winning Moves said it was an “easy decision” to create a Bradford edition after it was crowned UNESCO’s first City of Film and was named England’s Curry Capital in December.
People will now be asked to vote for property spaces on the new board – with about 30 regional landmarks replacing the likes of Oxford Street and Park Lane – as well as offering suggestions for the board’s most expensive site Mayfair.
In the running for the most prestigious square on the board are the Alhambra Theatre, City Hall, the National Media Museum, Salts Mill and the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
Other landmarks set to feature in the game, which will be in the shops in October, include Bradford Cathedral, Odsal Stadium, St. George’s Hall, Valley Parade, Haworth Main Street and Ilkley Moor.
People can nominate Bradford landmarks for particular squares by e-mailing bradford@winningmoves.co.uk from today. Voting ends at noon on April 22. (Tanya O'Rourke)

Many news outlets continue relaying the news about the new dramatised version of Wuthering Heights to be broadcast on the radio on Sunday. The Times and the Guardian both joke about other possible similar updates to classic novels.

The Guardian also reviews Lucy Gough's stage adaptation of Wuthering Heights now touring Wales and gives it 3 out of 5 stars.

What a vexing novel this is for anyone adapting it for the stage. Richly written and doused with passions that simmer for decades, Emily Brontë's novel is a gift and poisoned chalice in equal measure for director Mark Babych. He's to be applauded for a production that has a stunning, stark beauty and a thrilling sense of connection between his brooding Heathcliff (Robert Vernon) and ethereal Cathy (Rosie Holt).
But it's a frustrating whole. Some moments are exquisite, capturing the lives played out against the unforgiving moors – Heathcliff and Cathy roll down them together, entangled in a passionate embrace – while others are overblown, and feel melodramatic. The use of microphones for some lines is a mistake – leaning towards sensationalism, but the scenes played without them, in Lucy Gough's plucky adaptation, are darkly gripping.
It's well acted: Jenny Livsey is outstanding as omnipotent Nelly, a witness to everything and the story's moral compass, and Vernon's Heathcliff captures the complex, wild forces that make him so violent in everything he does. Hannah Clark's set cleverly allows for both claustrophobic domestic interiors by the hearth and the dangerously free space of the moors where Cathy roams in life and after. (Elisabeth Mahoney)

Kate Scarpetta, one of three seniors on the Princeton women’s golf team, is asked by The Daily Princetonian:

Q: What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
A: “Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush. Just watch the video and you’ll understand. (Caroline Wang)

The National has a brief article on Charlotte Brontë.

Listening to the Silence posts about Jane Eyre, the novel.

Categories: Haworth, Jane Eyre, Movies-DVD-TV, Music, Theatre, Wuthering Heights