Unnecessary adaptation still prevails

Young American director Cary Fukunaga took a risk in re-adapting Charlotte Brontë’s classic 1847 novel, which had already come to the big and little screens more than 10 times before this version. Yet with only one other feature film to his name (2009’s critical darling “Sin Nombre”), Fukunaga more than rises to the occasion.

The film’s shattered timeline, shadowy lighting and suspenseful pacing bring the Gothic elements of the story to the foreground, making it an atmospheric experience that hums with repressed emotion and sexual tension.

The DVD and Blu-ray releases of “Jane Eyre” both offer three featurettes, each describing a different element of the film’s artistic anatomy: the cast and crew, the score and the cinematography. Also included are a director’s commentary and deleted scenes. Overall, the special features are a satisfying companion to a captivating film.