Unfilmable books? Villette
Charlotte Bronte: legend
With the news that filming has begun on a new adaptation of Jane Eyre, and another Wuthering Heights that will commence production next year, articles have begun to appear in the media about a “Bronte resurgence” to match that of the popular enthusiasm for Jane Austen. What a lovely idea, sort of, but I doubt it. Firstly, I think the Bronte sisters are already well-known enough for any swelling of public feeling to have reached its maximum; secondly, although there are three of them, there’s not enough filmable material between them to elevate them to Austen status. It takes a TV or film adaptation to win hearts and minds.
I’m by no means an expert, having read only Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Villette, but I think I’ve maxed out viable Bronte romantic heroines. It’s already quite strange to read endless gushing articles about Cathy and Heathcliff’s love – anyone who has actually read the book will see that it’s odd to call it a “great love story”. SPOILER ALERT: Cathy won’t commit, marries someone else, then she dies, halfway through the book. It’s quite a strange book in terms of style and you don’t get a pay-off, anywhere. Twilight may be based on it, but other than deferred satisfaction, I don’t think there are many other similarities.
Villette is a stunning book, a work of genius. It’s about someone quiet and understated, like Jane Eyre, working as a companion and later a teacher. The first stumbling-block for a potential producer is that the heroine’s name is not Villette, it’s Lucy. Villette is a town but unlike, for example, Lark Rise to Candleford, the book isn’t really about the town, unless you want to get biographical and say it’s about Bronte’s time spent in France rather the themes of duality in human personalities, duplicity in general and Protestantism vs. Catholicism. That latter is dealt with so well: it’s more of a vibe than a lecture, although FYI, Catholics are all deceivers and fools apparently.
The religious aspect is much more prominent in the book than any romance. Lucy is a very reserved person – this is not a love story although a very cautious, chaste romance across the divide does arise. There is in fact one adaptation for television, a BBC production from 1970:
**Update** Thanks to a kind commenter who pointed out this image is from a 1973 adaptation of Jane Eyre – the internet lied to me! I stand by my opinion that it was probably rubbish though.
I know I’m being prejudiced because it was made in 1970 but based on this image I’ve decided it was rubbish. It’s certainly fallen into utter obscurity – barely listed on imdb.com and not available on DVD or even video anywhere it seems. I simply don’t see how a TV adaptation made in the bonnets and teacups tradition could have tackled a book that is all about perfect pace, utter authorial control, and a lot of complaining about Catholics. There is a new tradition in Bronte adaptation of either sister (sorry Anne! no new adaptations for you): lots of bonnets but much more gothic.
I think Villette would work if it was presented as a psychological investigation rather than a romance. It has some classic gothic elements such as the convenient thunderstorm, white nightgowns and potential ghosts. Teacups do also feature to some extent. Maybe it’s not such a terrible idea after all; maybe Jane Campion could do it, as I really enjoyed Bright Star and she does a good bonnet situation. But I’ll believe it when I see it.
Satu
Catherine Rose
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September 1, 2010 at 10:18 am
Hi! It’s funny that you should mention Jane Campion as Lucy Snowe. I JUST finished reading Villette today, and while I’ve found it easy to put a serious face (similar to Rochester, although perhaps more youthful in my head and more bronze) and I’ve got Paulina, Ginevra and Mme. Beck down to a T; Lucy I could only half picture and while I could imagine her; I KNEW someone was good for her, and that person, it seems I imagined to be Miss Campion. Her docility, although not quite so sparky as a Jane Eyre actress would usually be, is perfect. She also has a more emotionally resonant quality. While I picture Jane Eyre actresses to mask feelings with “Flint and Fire” and have secret passions, I feel that Lucy doesn’t hide hers, but rather saves them for when they’re appropriate. She’s also more worldly than Jane–she has had friends and company from the start, although an orphan. She seems much more real and likely to me than Jane Eyre. While I love all of Charlotte’s books so far (I have yet to read Shirley–the last!!), she seems more real to me than Jane. I think it’s fair to say that it’s far more likely (and easier to relate to) to be more ignored (Lucy) than to be neglected (Jane); although both have very similar backgrounds; signature to the Bronte style. (Young, plain, orphan who goes someone and falls in love with an older man… But whose counting how many times that’s happened?
)
Carolyn
December 1, 2011 at 3:31 am
Hi!
I agree with you that Villette is a great book, but I think it would be extremely difficult to pass its mood in a movie because most Jane Eyre adaptations already suffer from wooden acting by Jane actresses (with the exception of Ruth Wilson). Lucy is an even more closed personality. There would hardly be any dialogue for her, so someone should convey her utter loneliness through pictures and music.
By the way the photo from the seventies you have used is from a Jane Eyre adaptation, specifically of the year 1973.
I love your Jane Campion suggestion
ksotikoula
September 1, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Ah! Thanks very much for the info, I should probably update the post. You’re right about the lack of dialogue as she is so reserved and untrusting. You could have some funny scenes between Lucy and Ginevra I suppose.
Satu
September 1, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Yes. The part with Lucy’s proud sarcastic remark “I’m a rising character” to Ginevra’s astonished question “Who are you anyway? I thought you were nobody, but you must be somebody after all” is hilarious, let alone the part where Lucy stings her with a pin to prevent her from leaning on her.
I forgot to tell you what its believed that have happened to the 1970 Villette adaptation. They said that it fell victim of a certain BBC policy to write all over their tapes to save money, so many think that the original is lost for ever. Such a shame…No matter how bad it could have been (and some people who had watched it live say it wasn’t bad at all), it was at least a starting point and I would love to see how did they transfer it anyway. It could prevent future mistakes and have made the novel more famous.
ksotikoula
September 1, 2010 at 2:44 pm
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September 2, 2010 at 1:29 am