Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Jane Eyre is a haunting romantic drama based on Charlotte Brontë's classic novel. It doesn't have any strong sexual content (kissing/embracing is as steamy as it gets), foul language, or graphic violence, but the story at its core is still quite adult. The tale of a young governess -- a role that, in the 19th century, was neither seen as a servant nor as lady of the house, which made for a difficult situation in a class-based society -- who falls in love with her mysterious employer might seem tame by today's standards, but it's filled with complexities. The film is often somber and sometimes spooky, and some scenes depicting how wayward children were treated in those days may seem downright cruel.

Sexual Content

Passionate embraces and kissing between a young woman and her older male employer. Images (relatively brief) of a painting of a fully naked woman.

Violence

A woman lunges at a man with brute force; he and others have to hold her down. A teenage boy hits a young girl with a book. A headmaster pretty much invites a young girl's classmates to shun her for supposedly having misbehaved; he humiliates her in public. Talk of how a character commits suicide (jumping to her death).

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

The movie's take-away is that, yes, life can be chillingly, relentlessly difficult, but you have a choice: You can let it defeat you or embolden you. Also, that true love finds its way.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Era-accurate social drinking.