Jane Eyre

Technicolor has been sent to the naughty corner in favour of a more realistic style in this film, whose world is depicted in muted colours and is altogether unglamorous - which suits the tone of the novel well.

Charlotte Gainsbourg is not pretty, but sincere, self-aware and disillusioned as Jane Eyre, who after a harsh upbringing at Mr Brocklehurst's school for girls has found a position at Thornfield Hall as governess to the master's ward, Adele. At Thornfield Hall Jane experiences happiness for the first time, as everyone treats her with great kindness and respect, even the master of the house, Mr Rochester, who is mostly away. Mr Rochester is a tormented man with an unhappy past, but it is Jane's lot to discover how substantial Rochester's ghosts are far too late. One ghost in particular is a direct obstacle to the love that grows between Jane and her employer.

Jane Eyre has an underlying dark tone, which means that the romantic ending does not come across as saccharine.