I think Judi Dench deserves much praise for her witty and endearing performance of Mrs. Fairfax. I thought the casting was wonderful in this film and that Judy Dench was right in her element playing off of Wasikowska's Jane and Fassbender's Rochester. Dench makes me smile often and she really is effective in relieving some of the tension just when it's called for. "Jane Eyre" is a beautiful film and Judi Dench is an important element.
shareYes she is very good, a very handsome older woman, wonder if she has aged naturally or had a few 'tweaks'?
shareJudi Dench's casting was a coup if there ever was one. I loved it when Mrs. Fairfax looked utterly scandalized when she saw Jane and Rochester kissing after they came in out of the rain.
- Justice for Bryan Stow -
Yes, Judi has some very funny takes. Also when Jane and Rochester are beside the fire talking about "the little green men" and "your land not being wild enough" etc. Mia and Fassbender deliver their lines so dry and straight-faced, with just an ironic twinkling in their eyes - Mrs. Fairfax must think they're speaking some kind of gibberish. It's a very amusing combination and done with great subtlety. Jane and Rochester are communicating on another whole level, in a kind of code, and it's fun to have the perspective of an outside observer who has a much more conventional take on things. I love those fireside scenes - perfection.
shareI thoroughly enjoyed Judi Dench in this film, not just because of her acting. But I felt that this was really the first portrayal of Mrs Fairfax, that I had seen that gave her real depth. She was more three dimensional and relatable in this version then the others I have seen (v 1943, 1983 and 2006.)
For once I actual paid attention to her as a character rather than a device plot and it was lovely at the end when she asked Jane why she didn't come to her and that she had some money saved. It showed she had real concern for Jane.
The only Abnormality is the incapacity to love
Like all great actors her range and versatility amazes. For example she effortlessly moves between Mrs Fairfax here, to a character in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and then on to her winning turn as M in Skyfall.
shareI agree. Other versions tend to play Mrs. Fairfax as a bit simple or clueless. I was most frustrated with 2006, because Jane seemed a touch condescending. After Jane ignores Mrs. Fairfax's warning, they don't really interact again, save for indirectly, such as the family portrait at the end.
With regards to the 2011 version, I had read some reviews that thought Dench was wasted in such a small role. But in my opinion, having such a dignified housekeeper, who was constantly belittled by her employer, underscored the frustratingly limited expectations and options open to women at that time. I love that final conversation between Jane and Mrs. Fairfax, when Jane returns. Ever a pragmatist, as a woman looking out for another younger equal, Mrs. Fairfax says that she would have helped Jane in any way she could have and had a bit of money saved up. Of course, it's not about the money and illustrates a very different set of priorities, but those differences are bridged by an empowering impression of Mrs. Fairfax's desire to help Jane.
"illustrates a very different set of priorities, but those differences are bridged by an empowering impression of Mrs. Fairfax's desire to help Jane."
Beautifully stated, melka - all your points. For me, Judy Dench, as Mrs. Fairfax, was "the cherry on the cake" (I think i heard Michael Fassbender describe her that way) - she added a lot - I loved her relationship to Jane, even though, as you say, her expectations were so much more limited - she wanted to help.