Wide Sargasso Sea

By Cyril Pearl -- Video Business, 6/9/2008

ACORN
Street: June 24
Prebook: now
> Winning adaptation of Jean Rhys’ sensual prequel to Jane Eyre.

The second film adaptation of Jean Rhys’ 1966 prequel to Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (the first was a 1993 theatrical release directed by John Duigan and starring Karina Lombard) is a lively, well-spoken and very British affair. Set in steamy 19th century Jamaica and concerning the relationship between young Edward Rochester (Rafe Spall) and Creole heiress Antoinette Cosway (Rebecca Hall), Wide Sargasso Sea contains the production value and acting chops we’ve come to expect from British literary adaptations, and with veteran British TV director Brendan Maher at the helm, everything moves briskly. This film squeezes into its relatively short running time a good deal of intrigue, sex, suspense and tragedy.

Shelf Talk: This production was filmed as a companion piece to the 2006 BBC miniseries Jane Eyre (which was seen on these shore on Masterpiece Theatre), so fans of British TV are probably well aware of its existence. You would do well to play up the star turns by rising talents Hall (The Prestige) and Spall (A Good Year). Also point out that this Wide Sargasso Sea is a less titillating, but far more literary version than the previous adaptation.

Drama, color, NR (mature themes, sexual situations, brief nudity), 84 min., DVD $24.99
Extras: none
Director: Brendan Maher
First Run: British TV, 2006