MovieChat Forums > Jane Eyre (1996) Discussion > Disappointed in Anna Paquin

Disappointed in Anna Paquin

posted 17 years ago by ohioblue
10 replies | jump to latest

This version of Jane Eyre is in my top 3. However, Anna Paquin's Young Jane really disappointed me. Her acting is barely good enough for a high school play. I realize she was younger than most high schoolers, but after her great job in The Piano, I expected more. When I watch this movie, I see "Anna Paquin trying to be an actor" instead of "young Jane Eyre." I cringe when she's supposed to be ready to faint while on that stool. That said, the Lowood school scenes in this version are my favorite. They're not rushed and Jane and Helen's friendship is definitely explored well. Anyone else think Anna Paquin's acting was a little amateurish in this movie?

[–] waltman911 17 years ago

No.

[–] sorrowfulkitten 17 years ago

Hahahahaha. Well, that about says it.
I think she did okay. Lines were a bit stale and shouted in some parts, but shes a kid. (well, she was)

Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness?

[–] benjaminorchard 17 years ago

I thought Anna Paquin's acting was very good in this, and I didn't notice any glaring artifice in her performance at all.

I think it's the fact that the young Jane in this film is written differently from the young Jane of the book that causes some to be put off by her acting here - much like with the "X Men" movies, I feel people are blaming the actress for faults in the writing and direction.

[–] e_spanou 16 years ago

Are you kidding! She is best little Jane I have seen.
She's not weak but enraged and I like very much the fierce look she gives John
Reed when he pushes her on the stairs. She seems to imply "Do this one more
time and you won't live to regret it!" LOL!!!
I really like my heroine when she is wild. Jane was never meant to look cute
or pathetic or scared to death like some other little Janes I have seen.

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[–] cinesylph 11 years ago

I'm sorry to say it, but I was disappointed by Paquin as well. I also thought she was remarkable in The Piano (just goes to show you what good direction can do -- Jane Campion!) and I was really looking forward to seeing her as the young Jane. But I found her very self-conscious and her acting exaggerated to the point of being distracting. I largely blame Zeffirelli for not toning it down or seeming to notice; she was a child-actor, after all. Nevertheless, I found myself surprisingly moved by the Lowood school portion of this version, despite its being so contracted. But I think that is largely due to Amanda Root's Miss Temple and Gainsbourg's Jane. I appreciated their friendship being given some attention (which it frequently is not in other versions) and I was almost shocked to find myself tearing up when Jane leaves Lowood!

[–] blondiebear_17 9 years ago

I think Anna Paquin's version of young Jane seemed too intentionally defiant she seemed like she was trying to be rebellious rather than her just getting in trouble for being doing what comes naturally to her. I have only seen this version and the 2011 version but that one seemed closer to the book to me with young Jane really only seeming to get in trouble for acting in a way that makes sense to her and being reprimanded for it.

RIP Cory Monteith your fans miss you dearly

[–] slimone (7996) 6 years ago

Absolutely not! She was perfect.