One of Zeffirelli's less inspired pictures, this is a faithful
adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's often-filmed novel. Forgoing his
usual damsels and drapery, Zeffirelli gives both Rochester and Jane a
hard-edged plainness - but while Charlotte Gainsbourg conveys Jane's
free spirit, Hurt is too reticent in his role as the eccentric
Rochester. Zeffirelli slims down the tale, excluding Jane's exile
with St. John, and almost sidelines Mrs. Rochester. Fiona Shaw gives a
superb performance as Jane's aunt, matched in the early stages by Anna
Paquin as a defiant young Jane. Despite the care and attention, a
lacklustre film.
