Arts & Entertainment
Spend a Gray Day with Jane and Rochester
Go to the movies and get in touch with your inner governess.
It’s a dreary, gray Friday afternoon. You’ve turned in a ton of work by deadline. You have nothing on the agenda and you deserve a reward. And the new film version of “Jane Eyre” – the perennial chick flick – is at Bow-Tie Cinema City at the Palace in Hartford.
If it’s not too late, call your best movie buddy. But if no one is available, nothing beats immersing yourself in the Charlotte Brontë classic alone in the dark.
Perfect for experiencing our favorite governess’ blush when Rochester toys with her intellect by the fire that first night. Perfect for weeping freely when he appears to be planning a betrothal to another and breaks Jane’s heart. And perfect for believing that the dark, Byronic master of Thornfield could fall for her so thoroughly because she is so good and so frank and so loyal. Ah, there’s hope for plain girls everywhere. And it’s sprung eternal in each of the 29 film or television versions of “Jane Eyre” through history.
Find out what's happening in Ellington-Somerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This one, directed by Cary Fukunaga, stars Mia Wasikowska ("Alice in Wonderland") in the title role, Michael Fassbender ("Inglourious Basterds") as Rochester, and Dame Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax.
When the old Cinema City was closed in the South End of Hartford because of an MDC project coveting the land, the Bow-Tie theaters moved the popular art and independent film house to the Palace. Fans were distraught, but Bow-Tie attempted to recreate at the Palace a special wing for the less commercial and more thoughtful films that used to play almost exclusively in the South End.
Find out what's happening in Ellington-Somerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The theater even replicated the butter for the popcorn, the offerings of coffee and tea, the “You Be the Critic” bulletin board in the lobby, and the little art deco café tables where enthusiasts could chat about the films before or after.
It’s a good place for getting your Goth on with Jane Eyre, or at another movie more to your taste. Just you the romantic on a dreary day with a cup of hazelnut coffee.
Bow-Tie Cinema City at the Palace is at 330 New Park Ave., Hartford. Regular commercial film fare is available in the Palace 17 theaters in the front part of the building. For information, show times and tickets, call 860-549-0030 or visit Bow-Tie Cinemas.
