Jane Eyre (2011)

"No. No. Jane do you love me." Rochester

☆☆☆☆☆ Masterpiece 

Jane Eyre (2011) is a sprawling, exquisitely crafted Gothic love story.

Directed by Cary Fukunaga.

Starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell and Judi Dench among others.


This version of Jane Eyre by Cary is the first time I understood fully the repressed sexual desires that Charlotte Brontë hid within the subtext of her characters actions and setting. There isn't one moment throughout the film that Fukunaga does not fill with repressed sexual desires and or tension. Cary also employs stunning visuals both interior and exterior to add to the drama as it unfolds. To me the true genius of a director shows itself when they understands the underlying subtext of the material and keeps the story and visuals focused solely on bringing up and capturing on film the subtext that percolates just under the actors surface during their journey. Compare what happens with Cary's camera and visuals with Abdellatif Kechiche camera and visuals in La Vie D'Adele - Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013). Both directors stories are about forbidden love and repressed sexual desires. In both films the actors do a masterful job of bringing the subtext of their characters and the story to the surface. Fukunaga manages to assist the actors in bringing the subtext to the surface by creating an atmosphere of tension. Kechiches' actors have to repeatedly create the tension on their own as Abdellatif repeatedly abandons his actors subtext for physical actions.

In the scene below I fell in love with Mia, Michael and Cary for finally letting all the repressed sexual desires and love to explode at the end of the scene. Watch how Mia holds back the tears throughout the scene. Michael wisely allows Mia to control the scene, so she can unleash her pent up desires. Cary uses simple closeups until the last moment in the scene when he switches to a long shot. Also note how its the first time these two are in full sunlight and outdoors. What an incredible scene.

Film Scene

Trivia - The inheritance of 20,000 British Pounds that John, Jane's uncle leaves her is equivalent today to $45.5 million dollars.

Film Trailer

Film Photos - Posters

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Film Script

Shame

"We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place." Sissy Sullivan

☆☆☆☆☆ Masterpiece 


Shame (2011) is a brilliant character study without judgement from the actors and director.


Directed and co-written by Steve McQueen. Abi Morgan has to be given screenplay credit.


Starring Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan and James Badge Dale among others.

This is an actors and directors master class on the craft of character development. I've got to hand it to Steve for letting his actors think they took control of the film. McQueen like Sir David Lean in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), not only lets his actors breathe life into the characters, but subtlety brings the camera in to explore the underlining subtext written across the actors faces by their creative souls.
I love the way McQueen blurs the leads face in closeups. This allows the audience to put their own faces onscreen. Steve is a director masking as an actor that knows what he wants on screen from his performers so the audience can empathize with the plot. Watch how Cary steals every scene she is in by being herself in the moment. Mulligan's rendition of New York, New York takes the song to places it has never ventured.

In the scene below McQueen wisely has Michael let his scene partner take control of the scene. The secret to seducing a woman is to let her be in control. Stare at them and they will notice you, show no emotion and it will allow them to be emotional for you. Then once they feel safe with you emotionally let them accept you as their next emotional conquest. What if they are married or in a relationship? Women, unlike men can easily break the physical attachment they have for an emotional adventure. For men sex is physical for women it is emotional.

Film Scene

Trivia - Carey singing in the restaurant scene was shot in real time. Three cameras were used to film all three actors in the scene to capture their real reactions. James and Michael had never heard Carey sing.

Film Trailer

Film Script