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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 2:58 pm by M. in , , ,    1 comment
More mentions of today's Region 1 DVD release of Jane Eyre 2011:

Lincoln Journal Star:
Mia Wasikowska is Jane, and Michael Fassbender is Rochester in this moody, atmospheric adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel. Despite this being the umpteenth time the Victorian romance has been adapted, this "Eyre" feels remarkably fresh. It's a handsomely mounted film with inspired performances and plenty of thunderstorms on the moors. Grade: B+ (Micah Mertes)
McClatchy Newspapers:
Just after Mia Wasikowska finished filming “Alice and Wonderland,” she made a list of books to read that included Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre.”
Before she could start reading the classic, Wasikowska was cast to play the book’s title character in director Cary Fukunaga’s film version, which will be released on DVD today.
“I didn’t know much about the book before I signed on, even though there have been about 40 film versions of it,” Wasikowska says. “I watched a few scenes from some of the films, but I didn’t want to watch too much because you don’t want to play the role one way just to be different. (Rick Bentley)
BritScene:
Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Academy Award® winner Judi Dench star in acclaimed director Cary Fukunaga’s daring new adaptation of the timeless romance. When orphaned governess Jane Eyre (Wasikowska) arrives at imposing Thornfield Hall she’s intrigued by her brooding wealthy employer Rochester (Fassbender). His dark moods and the strange occurrences in the house lead her to discover a terrible secret that he had hoped to hide from her forever. (Paul)
The Seattle Times:
Cary Joji Fukunaga's screen adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's 1847 tale stars Mia Wasikowska as a tough-minded young governess who falls into a rabbit hole of love. (Lori Taki Uno)
DVD Talk insists on the importance of the deleted scenes and how those ones could be the base of an alternative director's cut:
Deleted Scenes (16:52, HD AVC):
Special note needs to be made about the slate of unused material available here, mostly because they refer to an alternate "director's cut" that Cary Fukunaga had in mind. An interview with Fukunaga and Wasikowska conducted early in 2011 (interview here) commented on a two-and-a-half hour alternate version that was considered, ultimately trimmed down for time-space and overall tempo; if the deleted scenes available here are an indication of what was contained in that cut, then it would've offered more nods to the novel and likely moved at a familiarly brisk pace. Scenes like the "tearing of the veil" part were, indeed, shot but left on the cutting room floor, along with other intriguing elements. If Fukunaga were to release a director's version that reintegrated these elements, I'd be completely game. (...)
Final Thoughts:
While the script that Moira Buffini composed for Jane Eyre takes a few daring, condensing turns, Cary Fukunaga's direction imbues the story with a degree of thematic weight, reverence, and gothic essence that closely reflects on Charlotte Brontë's literary tone. Much of the film's potency rests in the eyes and poise of young Australian actress Mia Wasikowska, who captures the young governess' plainness and quick-witted perception in the subtly captivating, dark romance, which also persists with the mild pulse of an eerie thriller inside the confines of Mr. Rochester's creaky home. Everything here gels together, though, from the stellar production design and the evocative mood to the nimble bursts of emotion where needed, coming together in one of 2011's best films. Universal's Blu-ray dishes out strong audiovisual merits, alongside a fine commentary track and essential deleted scenes. Highly Recommended. (Thomas Spurlin)
EDIT: And here we have two more deleted scenes, courtesy again of hacsince1991:
Jane Overhears the Ingrams Talking
Adèle Screams in Jane's Room

The Huffington Post:
This was one of those films we kept meaning to see, but for no good reason, didn't. If you're like us, now's your chance to redeem yourself, when "Jane Eyre" goes on DVD and Blu-Ray Tuesday. The film stars Mia Wasikowska as Jane and Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester. The film got an impressive 84 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and was hailed a "fiery and elegant adaptation." This is exciting, but we don't really need a reason to watch the flame of repressed desire grow between our hapless pair once again.
Screenrant:
Another movie based upon a novel hits shelves this week. Jane Eyre did fairly well in limited release, earning $13 million. Much like Something Borrowed, fans of the original literature seemed pleased with the final product and should help it gain some traction on home video.
The DVD and Blu-ray looks good thanks to superb cinematography and a faithful transfer that maintains the cool tones that place the film in an eerie setting. The score by Dario Marianelli blasts through the speakers with the ferocity of a blockbuster. It’s almost worth renting this movie just to hear it. Unfortunately, the bonus features are limited. (Mike Eisenberg)

Minneapolis Star Tribune:
"Jane Eyre" counts as one of the most-adapted novels for the screen, with Cary Fukunaga's version the latest of dozens. Surely part of the novel's appeal is its upright title character, who suffers miserably and unfairly, first at the hands of her abusive aunt, then at a sadistic girls' school and finally with that master of mixed signals, Edward Rochester. But for many readers, Jane is no quivering heath blossom, meekly waiting for Mr. Rochester to cast an eye her way. She has spirit enough to call out the social mores and religious hypocrisies of 19th-century Britain, and it's that rebellious spark that draws Mr. Rochester to her. Here, Mia Wasikowska's portrayal is elegant but inert. This "Jane Eyre" is gorgeously appointed and finely detailed, but still lacks the essential fire to make it come fully to life. The DVD and Blu-ray (Universal, $30-$35) include commentary, deleted scenes and making-of featurettes.
Television Without Pity:
Charlotte Brontë's 1847 gothic romance has been translated to both the big and small screens countless times in the past, which means that every new version has to do a lot of heavy lifting to stand out from the rest of the pack. While this particular film version, directed by Cary Fukunaga, isn't the most memorable of the bunch, it does offer two compelling performances by Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender as tragedy-prone lovers Jane and Mr. Rochester and some beautifully photographed images of the stark English moors. What's missing, though, is a strong romantic spark between the two leads, as well as an evocative aura of mystery about the dark secret in Rochester's past. If nothing else, perhaps this perfectly respectable, if a bit bland adaptation will encourage a new generation of readers to seek out the book. (Ethan Alter)
More figures of the Australian release of the movie in the Sydney Morning Herald:
Charlotte Brontë romance re-adaptation Jane Eyre debuted in seventh: Australian Box Office for weekend ending 14th August: 7. Jane Eyre - $814,132  (Giles Hardie)
Scallywag & Vagabond offers advice to improve the latest adaptation:
I just watched the new Jane Eyre, and even she didn’t have it this bad trudging through the countryside fleeing from Rochester.   But come to think of it, a little cattle chase would have really added a sense of urgency to the situation. (Zack Oleson)
Sony Classical announces the UK release of Dario Marianelli's soundtrack for Jane Eyre 2011 (via Arts Journal):
Sony Classical is delighted to announce the release of the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of Focus Features’ new film Jane Eyre, available in the UK on 12th Sep 2011 (cat. no. 88697852582).  The film also opens in the UK in September 2011. (...)
 Dario Marianelli’s Jane Eyre score heavily features a solo violin, recorded for the film by acclaimed 2010 Classical Brit Award-winning violinist, Jack Liebeck.  Marianelli is known for the gift of capturing the emotional and poignant elements of a story in his music. (...)
Commented composer, Dario Marinelli: “Of many joys I had while discovering a musical language that could accompany Jane on her path, none was greater than meeting violinist Jack Liebeck: his passionate, wholehearted, generous playing became the inner voice of Jane’s true self. After hearing him playing and then meeting him, my score no longer had ‘solo violin’ marked in the appropriate part. I simply had “Jack” written in its place.  He truly has brought the music to life”.
More reviews on One Movie, Five ViewsJust Vancouver, lilredpro or Heroes and Heartbreakers.

The Guardian's editorial praises Ruth Wilson:
She seems to thrive on the complex and the gritty. But as Jane Eyre on the BBC in 2006 she did stillness and gravity along with endurance.
Manchester Confidential reviews Hungry, The Stars and Everything by Emma Jane Unsworth:
Hungry, The Stars and Everything is a love story, but it is a long way from chick lit, think more Jane Eyre. (Jonathan Payne)
Reading Against the Clock reviews The Tenant of Wildfell Hall; Elegance of Fashion reviews Jane Eyre 1996; Taty's Books hosts a giveaway of copies of Romancing Miss Brontë in Portuguese.

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1 comment:

  1. I have some more deleted scenes here.
    http://palecloudedwhite.blogspot.com/2011/08/jane-eyre-deleted-scenes.html

    ReplyDelete