Jane Eyre

Period films can be hard to market to a modern day audience given the nature of its content - unless it has epic battle scenes ala Elizabeth (1998) and Master & Commander (2003) or laced with an insurmountable level of visual effects and action sequences (such as, Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Ridley Scott's 2010 version of Robin Hood). Create an adaptation of one of Jane Austin's romantic novels and expect a flurry of females or a bevy of die-hard Austin fans and the same goes for any classic stories written by authors such as William Make-piece Thackery, Victor Hugo or the Bronte Sisters to name a few... 

That is why when anyone embarks on the venture of re-creating or adapting a classic novel to the screen they have some very critical audience members to please. The director is expected to remain faithful to the author's text - or at least, tread as closely to it as possible. Any deviation or vast demonstration of artistic license is shunned. Having never read Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre (but having read her sister Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights), Cary Fukunaga never had to contend with that preconception or level of expectation from me. Lucky Fukunaga I was a blank slate. Nevertheless, given some hefty research it seems that Fukunaga will have pleased even the most die-hard of Bronte fans, because the film for want of a better word, is excellent - and that is based not just on the quality of its making, or the calibre of its actors, but its capacity to insight an emotional response from me...an audience member. Anyone who professes that they did not feel anything whilst watching this film is either a stone or a zombie.

Cary Fukunaga weaved a poetic visual adaptation of the famous Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane Eyre with the help of a fine cast and the hauntingly beautiful score created by Dario Marianelli. At the heart of its romance and poeticism is the music. Dario's score is brilliant and matches the story so effortlessly it has done more than just compliment Fukunaga's masterpiece. The entire film plays like a seamless tune, its artistic beauty is likened to poetry - a beautiful sonnet.

Commendation to the story can only go to the brilliant Charlotte Bronte whom in 1847 created a story so poignant that it is relevant even today. It grapples with issues such as child abuse, social stratification, the role of  a woman in society, religion, has themes demonstrative of gothic supernatural symbolism and above all else, delves into the complexities of love and the human condition. Bronte is an incredible writer and someone whose thoughts, imagination and opinion created one of the most feminist novels in history (without even intent). Therefore, how could you go wrong? - and coupled with Fukunaga's youth and vitality, his openness and modern imagination, you have the makings of something very special. Finally we see a period film that displays a darkness to it because our world is so punctuated not just by beauty but by undefinable yet undeniable darkness. Yet, there is always that light at the end of the tunnel - that sense of hope.

Central to the story is the protagonist Jane Eyre, whom falls into an unconventional love with the Byronic Mr. Rochester. Mia Wasikowska as Jane is perfect - perfect casting not just for her physical appearance but for the life that she gives the character. Jane is someone complex and steeped in a deep sense of morality. Having come from a very hard life wrought with abuse and neglect, she finds herself at Thornfield Hall. It is a foreboding place that is riddled with secrets and mystery - Fukunaga makes full use of the gothic architecture and plays as much upon the environment as possible to create those moments of fear and that slight sense of unease. Jane embarks on a journey of love that highlights not just the sheer intoxication of its euphoria but also the complexities that context, situation and politics delves a heavy blow.

Michael Fassbender is perfect as Mr. Rochester. Hard and cruel, he can be foreboding, ever reminding Jane that she is his subordinate and he is her superior, and yet, through this unconscious flaw in his character, he finds himself enlightened by this light called love. He is a tortured character and Fassbender brings a level of depth to him that makes you understand that he is tortured soul - someone that is not at ease, that is withered down by the complications that life brings. Yet Jane is his only solace. Fassbender and Wasikowska are perfect together. 

Jamie Bell plays St John Rivers, who falls for Jane and is set upon making her his wife. Bell is accomplished in this role and he makes St John someone believable - someone real. Someone who has compassion and yet is guided by society's (and religion's) unrelenting codes of conduct. Judy Dench also appears as the dutiful Mrs. Fairfax. Dench is always superb and she creates a maternal and almost home-like centre for Jane at Thornfield. 

All that can be said is that this story is filled with such heart and soul. The theatrical version I saw is a drastically culled version of Fukunaga's original cut. I do hope that Australia's BluRay release of Jane Eyre has the Director's Cut which is an additional 45minutes longer. Nevertheless, I am still satisfied with the version I saw today, however I am avidly interested in Fukunaga's extended version.

A beautiful film, with beautiful characters and an incredible score.

Jane Eyre

8/10

Legacy Week 2011

Fear not that you have died for naught

The torch you threw to us we caught.

And now our hands will hold it high

Its glorious light shall never die,

We’ll not break faith with you who lie

On many a field

Lest we forget. 

Legacy Week commences Sunday 28th August 2011

Help support the families that are left behind and in tern,

support our Defence Force.

Forever Young?

The topic of "aging" and "female actresses" is not new, neither is the contentious issue of air brushing, cosmetic surgery and the promotion of Hollywood celebrating forever young. Rather than writing a long-winded post about the issues that arise from celebrities celebrating youth and the incredible lengths some take to sustain it, featured below are some images of some very incredible women that must be blessed with amazing genes (or a fantastic surgeon). This is not to celebrate the notion that women should never be seen to age. On the contrary, this more or less serves as a depiction of my mind continuously asking the question, "you are how old???? No can't be...no way....you haven't aged a day....how does, no? How old are you again?" Yes, that albeit as simplistic as it is, is what goes through my mind when I look at photographs of Nicole Kidman (compared between 1995 and then now), Andie Macdowell (now 53 and still the face of Loréal), Demi Moore, Natasha McElhone and Michelle Pfeiffer. None of these women are in their thirties - yet each of them could pass (and some look better than real thirty-somethings.....)

Nicole Kidman circa 1995

Nicole today....yes she's had a little help but damn....

Michelle Pfeiffer in her twenties...

Michelle at 53.

Natasha McElhone ~41 and stunning

Demi Moore ~ at 48 (despite admitting to plastic surgery she does not look anywhere near that age bracket)

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

It has been a while since I have posted about films. Therefore it is fitting I present a review on the recently released "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". As you know, I'm not much of a cinema-goer simply because I dislike sharing space with strangers and hearing lolly wrappers rustling, chewing noises, inappropriate commentary and above all else, people getting up in the middle of the damned thing to go to the loo!! Nevertheless, I do venture out every now and then to see a film - sometimes it takes a lot to shift my rear end away from my couch and towards the cinema auditorium (unless it is a heavily anticipated film that I cannot wait until its DVD release that I must go experience it at the cinema)! This morning my fiancé and I decided to head over to the cinema to check out this latest offering of a very famous franchise. I had seen the trailer online a month ago and was quite excited for its release - simply because it seemed to be a "retelling" (or) "reboot" of the franchise.

I am enjoying the fact that Hollywood seems to be "rebooting" old franchises and making them (for want of a better word) serious....or...believable. (Christopher Nolan and his Batman - thank you.)

I haven't read the original "Planet of the Apes" novel by Pierre Boulle and I have not seen the original Charlton Heston film (to which my mother raves and raves it was one of the most terrifying films she had seen in her life). However I have seen Marky Mark's (Mark Wahlberg's) 2001 release "Planet of the Apes" which I honestly cannot remember most of its premise except the music (thank you Danny Elfman) was electrifying and brilliant.  I get a fare slap on the wrists for my faux pas not being exposed to Heston or Boulle. I will endeavour to see the first film (and read the book) at some stage (before I die). So really, I went into this prequel/reboot/retelling with an open mind - a virtual blank slate.

I'm glad I did - but then at the same time, I don't think my opinion would have been altered. What is undeniable is that Rupert Wyatt did a damned good job at directing a damned good film. I enjoyed every second and I actually emotionally connected with it. 

A lot of action films lose that sense of connection with its audience simply because the visual effects become blaringly the singular reason why the film exists. With this film it is not so, the effects are dazzling and they compliment the story. It is a very good story too. What I like about it is how believable it is. You could believe that the events that unfold during this film could (and can) actually happen. Also, this is not an action film. It is a drama/thriller/sci-fi/romance all folded into one neat pack with some spurts of great action to liven things up. It has everything and it has heart.

I won't go into detail regarding the plot as I would prefer you go experience it for yourself!!!! I do not intend to spoilt that for you. All I have to say is that the story is solid, believable and makes sense. It makes sense why the planet becomes a planet of apes. 

Tim Burton's version starring Marky Mark Wahlberg

When I first saw Mark Wahlberg's film ten years ago I was sort of lost in the caricatureness of the whole deal. The apes became caricatures. They talked and behaved like humans to the point where they had social systems and structures in place that were very civilized. To me, this was just bizarre and the effects and make-up whilst stellar, only served to satirize the notion that Earth could be overrun by apes. To me it was just unbelievable and more of a "dress-up" costume party. Unusual because I love Tim Burton films and I love how he injects his own sense of quirkiness and darkness into his films. I just remember walking away from 2001's version feeling as though I had seen a really lame version of "Doctor Who"...sad because the idea and concept that apes overrun the world is so clever.

So when you set up the whole premise for this concept and develop a story behind how the apes overpowered human-kind you already have a head-start at winning audiences over. Of course, execution has to be just as skilled - and safe to say for this film it was well constructed.

No need to go into James Franco or John Lithgow's flawless performances or the genius behind Andy Serkis' contributions because they were all brilliant. The cast was great, the music was fantastic, the effects complimentary and stellar, the cinematography well planned, the direction excellent and the story was above all else believable,  realistic and moving. The annihilation of the human race comes at two angles - which makes the story ever-more interesting, although you don't see the entire obliteration occur you only get a sense of it beginning to unfold and it makes you excited to wonder if they will create a sequel. For this story I would anticipate a sequel and I would be excited for one - if it is made as well (or better) than this one!

To sum up, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is worthy of a trip to the cinema - it is worth that $25 you may expect to pay for a ticket and maybe a drink/pop-corn combo. Just make sure you don't go during peak hours - pick a time that is either early in the morning or early in the week where people won't be there to distract you and destroy your viewing pleasure!!!

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

7/10

Birds Eye

Ballet photography never ceases to interest me - especially when different views are captured.

Today I feature some stunning aerial shots that I found online.

Ballet still looks beautiful even from birds eye...