That multiple award-winning British actress Dame Judi Dench plays a minor role in Jane Eyre, and the leads are Alice in Wonderland heroine Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender from Inglorious Basterds, shows just how far director Cary Fukunaga has come in only his second feature length film.

His first, 2009’s Sin Nombre, which he also wrote, was loved by critics and cast unknown amateurs.

His winning hand here, besides the cast is doubtless the story from Charlotte Brontë’s eponymous classic novel. While it holds no surprises for the audience, being so well known, it’s so compelling to filmmakers and TV drama producers who have created some 18 versions of it stretching back as far as 1910, according to The New York Times. Most people know this as a tale of a governess who discovers a secret her employer has been trying to conceal for years, while struggling with the forbidden love that is developing between them.

The story opens with Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) running from the Thornfield House, where she works as a governess for the wealthy Edward Rochester (Michael Fassbender).

If there’s one glaring fault it has to be that this film starts off too slowly for a modern audience. Someone tired from a long day might not take kindly to the sparse dialogue and lengthy scenes of Jane in the first 15 minutes or so.

After this long-winded introduction however, Fukunaga picks up the pace and doesn’t stop till the credits roll.

The story unfolds with a carefully crafted mix of flashbacks and present-day happenings. The wonderful screenplay and meticulous cinematography by former cinematographer Fukunaga strengthen the twists in the plot and increase the emotional appeal of the characters.

Sprawling pastures and impeccable, poetic English take viewers into the world of 19th century Britain, where women were but commodities, and servants couldn’t be befriended because of the strictly enforced social hierarchy.

The ostensible oppression of the daintier sex, and the tension arising from Jane’s headstrong attitude  are portrayed superbly by Wasikowska, the titular lead of Tim Burton’s 2010 Alice In Wonderland.

Jane’s resilience, built from being raised in an orphanage after being given away by a hateful aunt, sees her talking back to her aunt and more surprisingly, her own enigmatic boss. This sparks the nobleman’s initial attraction towards her.

Wasikowska’s mundane dresses and her strong, pained expressions make the resolve of Jane Eyre to stand up for herself even more believable to the audience.

Michael Fassbender measures up to his co-star with an equally sublime performance as the noble but flawed employer Rochester. Outspoken and seemingly fearless, his vulnerabilities are first exposed when a fire takes place in his room. His reluctance to report the incident suggests that he has some skeletons in the closet.

As much as the original novel was lauded for its writing, the chemistry of the 2 isn’t so much expressed in dialogue as it’s shown by their intense, non-verbal interaction with each other. In a heart-wrenchingly emotional scene where Rochester begs for Jane’s forgiveness, the tears and the heaviness of the atmosphere make up for the lack of dialogue.

Audiences will probably be unused to the lack of heart-stopping action sequences or even a proper antagonist to draw attention away from the main characters; the movie, much like the book, focuses squarely on dissecting their very make up.

Without sacrificing the original dialogue of the book, the stellar cast delivers with emotionality rivaled by few movie-adaptations. The last movie was released in 1996.

Wasikowska delivers the lines with searing honesty, while carrying an air of defiance in her portrayal of Jane.

The recent resurgence of a good-willed but tormented protagonist in movies such as The Dark Knight has ignited a public liking for an imperfect hero.

Fassbender similarly captures the anguish and pains of Rochester, while adding humor and wit to the role. He also has the ability to pull off impossibly bushy sideburns, a feature of those times. And even before metrosexuality became mainstream, vanity was alive in men. Rochester asks if Jane thinks he is handsome, to which she replies no. He is visibly hurt, but takes it well and in good humor.

Dame Judi Dench as housekeeper Miss Fairfax in Rochester’s mansion,lends gravitas to to an often overlooked but crucial supporting role.

While the film boasts a talented cast, excellent storytelling and emotional-depth, some of the twists are too abrupt and ill explained. Mild confusion is to be expected, although we know that a good ending is ahead.

Fukunaga’s efforts are commendable as great pains were taken to observe the dress and language of the era. The film also stays true to the underlying pro-feminist message of the original novel.

Staunch followers might argue that this version fails to capture the full emotional ferocity of the book.

Fukunaga  however, has created a worthy piece of work, arguably the best film adaptation of the novel to date.

Rating: 4 Stars

Director: Cary Fukunaga

Writer: Charlotte Brontë(Novel), Moira Buffini(Screenplay)

Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender

Release Date:  May 19 2011

Language: English

Rating: NC-16