Thursday, October 19, 2006

Jane Eyre Episode 4

I'm quite late with this post, again! But as you can see, I've gone screen cap crazy and I had a few problems getting them uploaded to blogger, why won't it let me in!! And I've been busy, sorry about that.

This has been the most looked forward to episode of any programme I've watched this year, the reasons being, the acting, the actors and the gorgeous cinamatography; some frames had real filmic qualities and the whole series had a gorgeous aesthetic, which highlighted the atmosphere and underpinned the drama extremely well.

We start with Jane asleep on a rock, penniless, alone and driven to drinking water from a rock pool. Ruth Wilson looks suitably bereft, disheveled and destitute.

The director, Susanna White, has made wonderful use of the moors, they mirror Jane's bleak, empty feeling, vast and seemingly unending. I like the artful smudges of dirt that they have used here, it puts me in mind of Oliver! I almost expect her to burst into song. Jane's hair is so messy here because she left her bonnet beside a rock pool in her haste to escape the creepy shepherd that was watching the strange wandering lady, who was drinking from a rock pool. (In my real life, I analyse water for a living; believe me, you don't want to drink untreated water, I know what's in it! I hope that was a stunt pool, specially created, or it is what explains Ruth Wilson's illness during the shoot.) Jane is rescued by St.John (SinJun as it is pronounced) and his two "excitable" sisters. I put the word in quotes, because it is what Alison Graham in the Radio Times described them as. And she got it spot on. They were lively and generous, somewhat prone to flights of fancy and slightly intrusive questions such as: "Are you having a bad memory?" Their detective work was limited to reading the labels on Jane's dress; investigative masterminds these two aint. But I think they were portrayed elegantly and sparely, letting us know enough about them, without clogging up the narrative too much. St. John Rivers, on the otherhand, is almost the opposite to his sisters, where they are lively and curious, he is dry and fastidious. I'd like to bring attention to the sterling work that Andrew Buchan did. He brought St. John to life and gave him the right amount of austerity and reserve, and without making him overly priggish and overbearing. This is a gentler man than in the novel, where he almost browbeats Jane into marrying him, here he is a man devoted to God and mindful of his position in society, so much so that he rebuffs Miss. Rosamund Oliver's friendly gestures.

I have a soft spot for St. John, when I'm reading the book, I always shout (in my head) "marry Rosamund Oliver, you idiot!" I liked St. John's " This talk is pleasant, you may continue for another quarter of an hour", and then he gets his watch out. Talk about clock watcher.

The differences between St. John and Rochester are apparent, while Rochester would have given way to his passions, St. John on the other hand hides and suppresses his feelings (passion?) for Rosamund. His ambition is to be a missionary and to do God's work, there is no room for feelings or passion. His clothing is naturally clergyman black, and his collar looks as if it is about to choke him. While walking on the Moors, Jane and the Rivers, meet Rosamund, who has been going out of her way to talk to and invite St. John to dinner. He, ever the insensitive idiot, refuses and she walks back dejected, wishing she hadn't put her best hat on. Her shoes also looked entirely unsuitable for a country walk.
St. John proposes that Jane become the School Mistress at the newly formed Girls school. He proudly shows Jane a muddy barn, with a box in it. At least Lowood had floorboards! I suppose this was so Jane can bring nature into the classroom, literally.

Jane accepts the offer, but in her characteristically forthright way, states "no beatings" and the freedom to set her own curriculum. St. John agrees and her salary is to be £ 30 a year, just the same as when she was Adele's governess.

I believe that Rochester still owes her £5 pounds, she never got the remainder of her wages after returning from Aunt Reed's funeral. Stingy git. The school comes with a black board, mud, a clock, a bell and an adorable little girl who cutely can't tell the time, but can ring a mean home time bell. From the state of her hair, she doesn't know how to comb her hair either.
Jane reminisces about her and Rochester's last meeting, which takes place, somewhat unwisely in her bedroom. Rochester, strokes and caresses and whispers huskily into her ears. Jane mutely allows him to do so (and is probably secretly enjoying it).
The touching I liked greatly, it wasn't strictly in keeping with book, but it had a sensual effect, which no doubt was the directors intention. The kissing on the other hand seemed to me to be a sop to the more romantic viewer who needs everything spelled out; it screamed "this scene is meant to be sexy and erotic!" I just felt a bit uncomfortable, I would have preferred a few caresseses and husky whispering, it would have been far more effective to have kept the kisses till the reconciliation scene, instead of shoe horning them in here.

I know quite a few viewers liked the kissing on the bed, maybe I will when I rewatch, but at the moment, it just seems too overt and explicit a scene to have before the end. I do think it diluted the chemistry between them and would have far rather preferred a pleading Rochester to a kissin' Rochester, well at this point anyway.

Here Rochester has just realised that his manly bulk pressed down on little Jane has caused her to stop breathing, so he hurriedly administers the kiss of life.

Having revived Jane, her promptly rolls off and looks over to make sure Jane is now breathing. Jane gasps a little for breath. This part of the scene was far more effective, Rochester tenderly holding Jane and whispering pleadings into her ear. If the entire scene had been done like this, I would have liked it better.

Rochester alludes to his Mediterranean villa and beseeches Jane to go away with him there, to live a platonic life together, with tea and bowls in the afternoon. Perhaps a chaste kiss on her birthday, which I suspect would last for 365 days of the year!
All these daydreams are far too much for Jane, who sobs like a child and does an ill conceived frog impression.
It seems to me that St. John is a far more punctilious boss than Rochester and has punctually paid Jane so that she can buy a new dress.
Rosamund Oliver comes to call on a horse and brings a few doves for the Dovecote. She asks if Jane is pleased with how she had set up the school and Jane says yes, instead of "Where are my floorboards?" St. John ignores Rosamund and she makes a petulant face and makes her servant walk all the way back up the moor.
A year on, Jane has now become rich on her inheritance and has shared it out amongst herself and the Rivers. St. John has proposed to Jane as he wants her to come to the Cape with him and Jane is not keen on this state of affairs and is sitting by a babbling brook cogitating her options and hears an almost sepulchral "Jane, Jane!" She immediately decides to run back to Thornfield to see Rochester.

I want to make a note about the change in St. John's destination from India to Africa. It seems like a bizarre change to make, what language therefore is St.John asking Jane to learn, Swahili?

She rushes back to Thornfield and is dismayed to find that Thornfield is now a burnt out wreck.

Jane sits in a field, taking comfort in the company of a few raggedy looking sheep and a kindly passing shepherd (who looks suspiciously like the one up on the moors) who tells her that Thornfield was burnt to the ground.

A figure wanders the corridors of Thornfield with a candle, and then decides to set Jane's old wedding dress on fire, possibly because the candle isn't giving out enough light and decides to drag it around the house like a pet dog, but obviously more aflame.
The arsonist turns out to be Bertha! Quelle Surprise! She dances on the roof of Thornfield in the flames and appears to be very happy until Rochester arrives to take her down.

Claudia Coulter did the best job she could with the little she had. Her Bertha was mad, but not mad enough for me, she seemed far too petulant and magnificently well coiffed to be truly insane. I want drooling and crazy hair, but we got a restrained and downbeat performance, which is the adapters fault, not the actresses'. The mystery of the North Tower was elegantly introduced in the first two episodes, but the fact remains that despite the wildcat flailings of Bertha at Jane in the third episode, the reveal of the mad woman in the attic just wasn't as dramatic or kinetic enough to truly convince us of Bertha's insanity. She seems more of a piteous creature shut up alone in the North Tower, who can blame her for escaping at night ?(the mechanism for which is never explained: Grace Poole's gin habit isn't revealed).

The theme of sexual jealousy was not overplayed by the script or the director, but it was evident, and in this adaptation at least it was appropriate. To have such an exotic and attractive Bertha, who was directly in contrast to plain Jane, was a brave move and one which ought to have been developed further; Jane and Bertha (despite her madness) could not help to be jealous of one another.

Rochester entreats Bertha to follow him down and take his hand, she sees an owl fly off the building and in a bid to escape the flames and the prison that Rochester has created for her, she longs to do the same. She, like Jane is a bird who wants to fly away, but when she flings herself into the air, she falls to her death. Rochester seems somewhat weary in this scene, his entreaties don't sound entirely sincere, if he wanted to stop Bertha, he could have grabbed her and physically taken her downstairs, I don't think he ever believed that Bertha would jump and thought that his request would be acceded to.

On a more shallow note, Toby Stephens in an open shirt with sooty smudges, mmm, nice! Heavens Bertha, go with him!
Thornfield burns merrily away, I'm not surprised that during filming neighbours of Haddon Hall, where Jane Eyre was filmed, were alarmed by the flames, it looks positively ablaze. I was disappointed that there wasn't a Rochester dodging flaming beams scene, it would have explained his burns and poorly arm.

Jane rushes to Ferndean, through a portentous wood and spies on Rochester walking out into his garden, when he looks over to her, her smile is wide, but it quickly fades as she realises that Rochester can't see her. Jane in this scene has another new dress, that St. John, he really does pay his wages on time.

In the book, this scene takes place in the rain, but I suppose due to budgetary reasons this was changed. I however would have liked that to have remained in place, the rain makes Rochester look more vulnerable.

Rochester sits in his chair growling like a bear and demanding candles, Jane enters the room and Pilot recognising her starts to bark. Jane helps Rochester to drink, and he starts to realise that the servant probably isn't George as Jane gently mops his lips.

This is my favourite scene of the series bar none, the strength of Rochester's emotion is gasp inducing, Toby Stephens acting is superlative. From the moment he grabs Jane's arm when she speaks, his anguish and pain are written on his face. The way his voice breaks as he asks Jane: "You are real?" portrays completely all the emotion and vulnerability the character possesses. During this series, the strongest scenes have always been those in which Jane and Rochester interact, with both actors giving their all, in this scene, Toby gives his all and then reaches down into his tight britches and finds some more, all Ruth can do is react, which needless to say she does marvellously.
The scene is made all the more difficult with Toby having to play blind as well, which is done sensitively and thankfully done without the eyerolling that some actors have to employ to show their blindness. As with the last episode, the small flickers of emotion that flit across his face amply display Rochester inner turmoil and sheer relief and joy at having Jane back with him again, the way he clasps her, he does not even mean to let her go. I think I can proudly state that I didn't see a single sneer from Toby Stephens during the series, which just goes to show he can control his sneer and that he can play sympathetic and compassionate fellows just as well as villains, better in fact.
(I wish Rochester had said:"What sweet madness is this?" How's Thursday Next going to get home now?! )

Jane positions herself on Rochster's knee and proceeds to fill him in on her year away. Rochester hasn't lost his hand and the small burn on his left hand side has been derided by some to be not bad enough. I think the burn is ample, it's enough to make him unsuitable for a society bride, Blanche Ingram would not countenance such a defect, but it cleaves Jane to him further. I can live without the amputated hand, as it appears that Rochester doesn't get his sight back at the end, he might as well as have two hands to hold his babies.

The scene with Jane and Rochester sitting by the fire, is a tender one, Jane tries to make Rochester's shaggy mane of hair more agreeable by passing a comb over it, not particularly well (she'll never make a hairdresser), but the thought was there. I like this new tactile Jane, it underlines the strength of her affection for Rochester, so strong that she can barely stop herself touching him. Her wide smile as Jane leaves Rochester for the night, is a mixture of joy at returning and finding her love reciprocated and mischievous, she going to bed and leaving Rochester to wonder if she will return in the morning.

Obviously she does return in the morning and she and Rochester sit by the river while she cruelly describes the wildlife flitting around them, go on Jane rub in the fact you're not blind! Just joking, it is no doubt an allusion to Jane and Rochester's talent of talking all the time with is described in the book.

Rochester's burn and blind eye look realistic, the eye doesn't look fake blind and I'm glad they didn't do a Timothy Dalton and glue it closed.

Rochester tells Jane he wants a wife to share his bed all night and all day too if possible! I thought that was a wonderful line, despite his weakness and vulnerability now, he is still a snarky fellow and his intellect and humour had not been damaged, which is probably what Jane fell in love with, after all Rochester is not a handsome chap, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Rochester's angst levels are still quite high, he knows that he's not a whole man anymore and doesn't know if Jane can love him now he's broken.

Jane teases him with details of her stay with the Rivers and Rochester is jealous of St. John. He tells Jane that they could not be platonic, as he had once suggested they live as brother and sister, Jane agrees and says that Edward is all hers and kisses him. In a mirror of the bedroom scene, Jane pushes Rochester down and lies on top of him, thus cementing her new position as the mistress and Rochester the servant. Despite her slight frame, Rochester appears to be labouring for breath, so Jane obligingly starts the kiss of life routine.

Rochester ever the gentleman, runs his hand down her body to rest on her bum (I didn't learn this in the first aid course) and as Jane makes no protest at this, I'm sure she doesn't mind.

Ah, now they're knocking their boots together. Make your own assumptions. I like this image though, it shows us how much Edward and Jane are entwined and it's not something you would necessarily see at the end of a costume drama. At least it's not a kiss outside a church door.
The family gathers for portraitit and Jane has a new dress, and looks resplendent with her curls. Rochester calls for his baby and Jane gets an unhappy child perched on her knee.
This last shot has got some pretty negative responses from many people, that they feel that it was too twee and schmaltzy to have everyone gather as if for a photograph. I liked it. You don't see this in a period drama and what it is showing is Jane's happy ever after. From an orphaned and abused young girl, she is now mistress of her own home and her husbands heart, with all her family around her, and not forgetting St. John peering out at us from the frame in his African paradise garden (or so it seems).

This is the first Jane Eyre adaptation I've ever seen, it was not perfect, the last episode flagged for not having a large amount of Jane/Rochester interaction, but on the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ruth Wilson was absolutely superb as Jane and so was Toby Stephens as Rochester, in my humble opinion they should both get awards for their performances, unfortunately it looks like very strong opposition this year, and romantic costume drama protagonists tend to get overlooked in lieu of actors playing straight dramatic roles. If they don't at least get nominated something is definitely wrong with the world!

Just before I end, I want to say thanks to everyone who's commented and read the blog, I hope you all enjoyed it. I will probably keep tabs on what Toby and Ruth continue to do and I might put a few reviews I've found on the blog. When the DVD comes out if it's full of extras I may not be able to stop myself from effusing enthusiastically!

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

" Rochester hurriedly administers the kiss of life" LOL

Perhaps that explains Rochester's awandering hands- he was attempting to find Jane's sternal notch!

At least when my husband's eyes roll to heaven" Wot , not jane Eyre AGAIN!" I can now tell him that I am brushing up on my CPR skills in a BBC public service broadcasting sort of way and not completely obsessing.

Is anyone bothering with WSS tonight? I wathched about half way on video before realising that continuing would incite too many questions from the kids. That, plus I was getting quite a few splinters from Rafe Spalls acting, especially followimg Mr. Stephens rather....well... ripe interpretation.

Loving the blog.
T

Anonymous said...

Terrific review and insights into the workings of Jane's and Rochester's motives. :-D

Thanks and thanks for the great screencaps!

Anonymous said...

Penny, once again your review of the last episode was fantastic!

I didnt agree with all your points (I'm one of the ones who loved the kissing and hated the pictureframe) but all in all everything you say is well-thought, and bloody funny!

One thing we do agree on is Toby Stephens superlative performance in the final episode. He didnt have enough screen time for my liking but what he gave was outstanding. I also agree that whilst we all want them to win awards no doubt the likes of Cracker and Prime Suspect will take home the glory, which is a shame as both Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens gave their all to these characters and finally brought them to life for me.

I hope you continue to comment on both Ruth & Toby's careers, and I expect a full blog on the DVD release!!

Many thanks for everything, I will keep returning to see what delights you have for us. All the best to you and your mum.

C19 Fan (aka Pocahontas)

P.s. Anon I saw WSS on BBC4 and was disappointed. Heartily disappointed. And I felt the wooden buildings emoted more than Rafe Spall did. Needless to say I wont be re-watching tonight!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the reviews and screen caps - your commentary always made me laugh. The kiss of life indeed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the series, thought Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens did a wonderful job and can't wait for the DVD in Feb.

Much appreciated! Thanks :)

Cath

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your well written and great insights. It has been a pleasure following your blog, I was looking forward to reading your thoughts on this ep. 4. I also have mixed feelings towards the bedroom scene, I wonder whether this production ultimately aimed for the viewer to dislike Rochester and his manipulative efforts here (albeit not for long, as we cannot help but love Rochester to bits of course!!)? I guess if he had been too subtle (as in previous adaptations) we would find it much harder to sympathise with Jane's decision? Anyway, just a theory...
E.S.

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Anonymous said...

Loved your reviews, insightful and humourous.

However, about your comment on her new dress when returning to Edward: to me it's not because of St John's prompt payment, but because of her own wealth as an heiress that she could afford it.

Look forward to what's coming next on your blog.

Anonymous said...

Many thanks for the blog. I;ve enjoyed reading it. I've not necessarily agreed with everything but hey thats ok isnt it.

Sadly I dont think either Ruth or Toby will get a BAFTA. Ruth wont beat Queen Helen Mirren! or Samantha Morten as the horrible Myra Hindley and Toby probably wont beat academy favourite Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford. Still Colin Firth didnt win a BAFTA and it didnt do him any harm.

Anonymous said...

Penny - thanks again for your commentary and caps - I agree with you about the kissing (before Jane's departure) being a big much for the true story line - on the other hand - whew, I loved watching it :)

I've seen almost ALL the recent adaptations, and this one outshines them all, let me assure you - with the most believable Jane and Edward - the best of the storyline retained - a great production - and YOU, dear girl - have done a great service to the deprived in America who are STILL waiting to see this in its entirety (I hear we are going to see it in two, two-hour shows).

Thanks again for all your efforts and work. Blessings to you and your family!

law

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi T,

Well educating is part of the BBC charter, though I expect it might not be prudent to practice that exact method of CPR on someone you're not too friendly with :)

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Pocohontas,

I have to admit if the show had finished with Jane and Rochester knocking boots by the riverbank I'd have been happy, I'm just a sucker for a happy ending.

I think my main problem with the bedroom scene was my 6 year old niece has been watching Jane Eyre with me and I really don't want to have to explain why Rochester is lying on top of Jane, especially when they've been so restrained so far. I think I may come to like it in time, I decided to have a Jane Eyre marathon on Wednesday and I hope everything will slot into place when I haven't had a break.

My niece calls it "Jane Airway" which sounds like a charter airline ;)

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Cath,

You're welcome.

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi E.S,

I've just read the "bedroom" part in the book again, it doesn't take part in the bedroom, but Rochester does caress and kiss Jane, so in hindsight, the scene is actually more in keeping with the novel than I thought! I'm starting to like it more. Glad you liked the blog!

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi anonymous and anonymous,

Glad you both like the blog and I agree, Helen or Samantha will probably get the BAFTA, and Broadbent the male equivalent. All of these performances have been publicised quite a lot, and I'm sure the actors did well, I haven't seen any of them, but publicity and in some cases notoriety sometimes swings the vote in one direction. Here's hoping that both Toby and Ruth get nominated at least; as well as Susanna Clarke and Sandy Welch for their hard work too!

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Law,

Glad I'm being useful for a change!!

Lucky person to have seen all the adaptations, this is my first and I'm glad it didn't disappoint. I'm not really looking at watching anymore, because I'll keep comparing them to Toby and Ruth and that's not fair, I'll give a while before I ferret out any more.

And two 2 hour shows is not to be sniffed at, I hope that doesn't mean that it is two hours with ad breaks, because that means cuts!! Lobby for no ads! That's the good thing about the BBC, no ads!

Take care, and thanks for your kind thoughts.

pennyforyourdreams said...

T, and Pocohontas: I think it was a mistake to show Wide Sargasso Sea after Jane Eyre, everyone was comparing Rafe Spall to Toby Stephens, and it just wasn't fair. Anyone compared to the magnificent Toby last week couldn't help but look a trifle wooden. I haven't seen all of it, but Rafe's Rochester was too pale, blank and insipid. It's not his fault, WSS (the book) made me want to beat my self over the head, I don't like that book at all, and I think it rubbed off on the production. It saying something when the best part of the production was Jamaica, suitably eerie, clammy and mysterious.

Anonymous said...

Penny,

don't bother with any of the ther adaptations - My fav was the one with William Hurt, but - like you - I agree that once you've seen THIS production, the rest will be a waste of your time.

Our two 2-hour productions are going to be on Public Television - so we shouldn't have any commercials!

fondly,

law

Uncle Mario said...

Penny is right about drinking untreated water. In my Scouting and backbacking experience, if you HAVE to drink untreated water out while hiking or backpacking, you can either use Water Purification Tablets or use a portable water filter. Or in my case (which is not smart)carry one too many Nalgene water bottle to add more weight to what I carry. Guess a portable water filter is on my Christmas wish list.

Like the way the depicted chaped lips on Jane since you usually suffer them while facing high winds. Use of flashbacks in telling of Jane's flight from Thornfield to her present situation on the moors was intresting to me

And yes, I have labels in my Scouting clothes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Penny,

Its likeley I havent given Wide Sargasso Sea a fair trial for many reasons, not least of which that no-one else will ever be Rochester for me after Toby Stephens. I also havent read the novel - I think I should read this first and then watch the adaptation again in a few months when my adoration of this version of Jane Eyre wanes slightly and my mind is slightly more open! And as far as JE is concerned I can understand why you may have been a wee bit uncomfortable for your niece to see those (highly erotic) kissing scenes after 3 weeks of delightful but tame ones. I hope you enjoy the re-watch and that you come to love that scene as much as me, and if not enjoy your re-watch anyway! :~)

PocaH x

Anonymous said...

Yes, indeed it's in the book, him caressing her, trying to persuade her to stay. It's the bit where he goes: 'and now...do you mean that?' that is also in the book, except then they're standing up. Great, how Sandy Welch picked up on that and made it so much more, and also quite realistic. You can imagine it might also have gone that way between them.

Also, you mentioned in your review that how she's describing the bird and everything to him when they're sitting by the stream, that it's not quite fair to him. You'll find in the book that she describes doing that to be his eyes for him, so actually out of love for him she becomes his sight. It's such a wonderful story.

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Anonymous,

I was being a bit flippant when I was describing Jane and Rochester by the river, it is a nice scene and it does portray Jane being Rochester's eyes and in such poetic language too!

Anonymous said...

Penny,

I know I am not saying anything that has not already been said, but I really do enjoy your commentary on the episodes. Snarky, but not crass or cruel!! Your blog has been a joy to read!!

I don't know if I can wait the 4-6 months for it to air in the States. :(

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Eden,

Thanks for the compliment! Don't worry, you've only got to wait until late January! Unless, you want to be naughty and *cough**download**cough. Not that I'd recommend that, no sirree...

Anonymous said...

Hi Penny,
Just stumbled across your blog yesterday! Thanks for the great reviews. I've just finished watching all 4 episodes and have loved every minute! I have not seen any other adaptation but i think it will be a while before I watch another one because I really love this one! Also love the scans of the various mag articles too.

I can't wait til the DVD comes out or when/if they screen it here in Australia.

I quite like the end scene with the painting, I think its meant to be in direct contrast to one of the scenes at the beginning where she is excluded from the family portrait with the Reeds. Now she has her own family and friends!

Jill xo

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Jill,

Thanks for your comment and I'm glad you liked the blog, and that you enjoyed the series so much, it was great wasn't it!

I've been bereft since it finished!

Hope you get to see it on TV/DVD when it comes out in Australia.

Anonymous said...

I'm Katy,
from Syria,
and I'm 14 y.o

Hi, All
I've studied English sinse this Spring .
It's very!
I want like to meet boys and girls and practisice My English with them.

Thanks all!!

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Katy,

Keep practising your english and I hope you find someone to talk to soon, but I'm not sure this place is the best place to do it!

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed your commentary. The last episode was one of my faves when Jane returns to Rochester. I was bawling. The series just aired this month here in the States. I've recorded it and plan to show it to some friends.-Kris, Florida

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi Kris,

glad you liked the show, I have to admit the reunion scenes were very moving in the last episode!

Thanks for your comment.

Penny

Anonymous said...

Penny,

Just found your blog after watching J/E in the US on Masterpiece Theatre. So glad to discover that I'm not the only one who's slightly ;-) obsessed with this latest BBC production.

You've a got a talent for writing reviews! Very insightful and sidesplittingly funny.

Keep your blogs coming! (By the way, how do you find time to write and maintain this blog site when you've also got a job? I'm barely able to function at the end of my day job!)

M

pennyforyourdreams said...

Hi M,

Thank you for your very kind comment! I'm glad you enjoyed Jane Eyre, and I'm glad I'm not the only one a little obsessed. But a little obsession never hurt anyone, mostly anyway :)

And as for blogging and working, well as you can see there are quite a few long gaps between posts, I'm not always up to posting anything after a long day at the coalface. I like to take my time and do a nice post rather than rush something.

Kind regards,

Penny.

kappa said...

Lovely review! I caught JE on Masterpiece Theatre last month and adored it (I'm afraid I'm going to wear out the DVD from replaying the reunion scene so many times). I had a similar reaction to the bedroom scene; my first reaction was, "Wow, it's been a long time since I read Jane Eyre, but I'm pretty sure that didn't happen in the book." Then I went back and actually read that chapter again and realized that I was remembering the scene from the novel incorrectly. It's definitely not the same as the film version, but I think I see why it was shot the way it was now.

Thanks for writing such a fun blog!

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Jual Kursi Cafe said...

Perhaps that explains Rochester's awandering hands- he was attempting to find Jane's sternal notch! and Like the way the depicted chaped lips on Jane since you usually suffer them while facing high winds. Use of flashbacks in telling of Jane's flight from Thornfield to her present situation on the moors was intresting to me