Jane Eyre

[Boleyn]

OK who is going to watch it at 9pm?

Charlotte Gainsbourg is my perfect Jane Eyre though

Hey Expat, 40 doesn't have to look old you know! I pass for in my 20s - according to some blind people I know!

It did seem to fly along way too fast.

Was the actress who played the young Jane the same girl who played Lucy in Narnia?

Yes, but in the book, he had the appearance of someone much older.

Sorry, I've read the book at least 5 times.

His ugly appearance was a key feature.

Jane herself describes him as looking like a Brownie.

I felt deeply cross when Toby Stevens came on. It's the same old supercilious/knowing/drawly TS schtick, he's a stuck record, and even though this seems appropriate for Mr R, I'm bored with it. Jenk, interesting: I thought last night, longingly, of Damian Lewis.

Enjoyed it, lovely visuals, v stylish production. You could sense what Mr R was seeing in Jane, too.

I approve of Jane's less-than-perfect teeth in this adaptation. Can't bear seeing perfect Hollywood teeth in period dramas!

But Expat, sad, single mummies like me with the literary depth of a puddle don't want ugly on an autumn Sunday night, we want eye candy!!!

Ah, but if he played the role well enough, you wouldn't find him ugly. He's supposed to grow on you, a sort of 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' type story.

dumbledores girl - I really remember the Timothy Dalton version - it really affected me. I read that was 23 years ago!! (if it was a bbc version).

I thought Jane was too pretty and her mouth annoyed me too

I know, I've read the book, but on this occasion the artistic liberties don't bother me.
Her hair was annoying, those huge ear warmer sweeps of hair were driving me nuts. I kept wanting to say, just brush it back girl FGS!!!!

Toby Stephens looked like he'd been around the block I thought - he didn't look young and fresh if that's what you mean. Maybe a slightly lightweight Mr R (Blair rather than Brown iyswim, if that's any kind of analogy).

I thought Jane didn't show as much grit as she seems to have in the book. There was more of that in the little Jane.

What else has Toby Stephens been in?

Pollyanna - sigh! Was it really 23 years ago? Bring back TD I say!

a Bond film recently. He was the baddie, of course, and was rather good.

has done a lot of theatre I think and is of course of illustrious thespian parentage.

BTW Cupcakes, I have had a look for you and the young Jane was indeed played by the same actress who played Lucy in The Chronicles of Narnia. her name is Georgie Henley.

Was Toby Stephens in The Camomile Lawn , many moons ago ? Not sure I liked his Rochester though, not brooding enough . She is nicely naive but felt she understood Adela and the French story a bit too well for one who has been closetted up hitherto. Not quite Gothic enough for me yet ! Being repeated on Sunday apparently.

Yes, he was in the Camomile Lawn too. Just been watching reruns of that on one of the digital channels.

I thought older Jane actress was too pretty (despite odd mouth)
Mr Rochester way way way way too young for me (but this actor doing good job any way)
Adele surely too old?
But enjoying it anyway

I think Rochester has to be a proper minty old bezzer like George C Scott or those very rare attractive aged bloke........ummm can't think of any now but will soon...... he should surely be old enough to be her dad at least? Not 10 years older?

Molesworth I agree about Charlotte Gainsburg - just right but I thought William Hurt was A Tragedy of Miscasting!

is he that old in the book?

If he's around 40 that would give enough of time for all the sowing wild oats and stuff (not wanting to put any spoilers in ) wouldn't it?

my fav book which is probably why I didnt like the adaptation very much. I love the beginning of the book, her childhood, its so sad and beautifully described. This was so rushed, I didnt think it was particularly sad at all. Helen had only had one line before she died. If you didnt know the story, how are you supposed to know what that friendship was all about.
Agree rochester too young-but pleasing to the eye

He's about 38 when she meets him first.

By the time she marries him, he is nigh on 40.

It did rather skim over the childhood bit, didn't it? If they'd made it a 6 part series they could have done it more justice - it's a bit Jane Eyre-lite at the moment but Mr Rochester almost makes up for it, he's bloody sexy!

well, apparently Toby Stephens is 37, so I guess he is the right kind of age.

Jane is still young enough to be his daughter, just about. She is 'barely 18' when she takes the job at Thornfield.

every time I saw Rochester, I couldn't help but think Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen - he had the same hair and similar dress sense!

Yeah! He does look like Llewlyn in my mind, too.

Except w/o the highlights in his hair.