Charlotte Brontë’s best-known work, her 1847 novel “Jane Eyre”, has been the basis of countless films, televisions series and musicals. It has in itself spawned a diverse enough range of literature that it could even constitute a sub-genre: sequels, prequels, re-workings, re-tellings, tales told from the perspective of other characters, spin-offs and even films based upon these!

Needless to say, the cultural impact of Brontë’s timeless story has been massive. Yet, regardless of whether you’ve seen, read or heard any or none of its many incarnations, this particular adaptation – a worthy contender for the long-endeavoured ‘definitive’ version – is one that absolutely demands viewing.

Orphaned at an early age, Jane Eyre is cast out of her family home and forced to spend her childhood in the strict, cold care of the sadistic Lowood boarding school. Upon turning eighteen and completing her education, Jane (a fiery Wasikowska) finds work as a governess for the ward of Thornfield Hall’s master, Edward Rochester (Fassbender). Intuiting a kindred connection, Jane and Rochester soon find happiness in each other. Yet all is not as it seems: Rochester is hiding a deep, dark secret that threatens the very foundation of their relationship, and only Jane’s resilient spirit may be able to uncover the truth.

Vigorously spellbinding, director Cary Fukunaga imbues the screen with all the wild romanticism, Gothic horror and simmering emotion of Brontë’s novel, set against a backdrop of painterly landscapes and to a score steeped equally in tenderness and dread. Jane Eyre is not just one of the best literary adaptations ever made, but a great film full stop.

Fans of Lone Scherfig’s An Education rejoice! The acclaimed Swedish director returns with One Day, an unconventional romance story centred on the highs and lows of friendship, love and life.

After meeting on the night of their graduation on July 15th 1988, two friends make a pact to keep in touch. Emma (Hathaway) is a working class girl who dreams of changing the world, while Dexter (Sturgess) is a wealthy charmer who wants the world as his playground. Over a period of two decades, we see their triumphs and failures as their paths intersect – sometimes in person, sometimes not – every year on the anniversary of their first meeting. As their lives unfold, “Em” and “Dex” gradually realise that what they have been searching and hoping for may very well have been there for them all along.

Scherfig seems to have a knack for creating aesthetically gorgeous films: the cinematography on display here just oozes romance and emotion. The fast-forwarding narrative is pieced together seamlessly and sweeps the audience along on a journey through life’s obstacles, as the two friends learn to reconcile their hopes and dreams with reality and disappointment. Hathaway once again assumes her British accent, and you may be forgiven for forgetting that she’s an American. Sturgess is a perfect fit as the handsome and vain Dexter, as is Clarkson as his world-weary mother. In fact, all the actors populating the film are note-perfect to the endearing characters created by author David Nicholls, who also adapted his novel of the same name for the screen.

Simply put, One Day is a must-see film for any romantic or romantic-at-heart, and one that will make for an excellent (date) night out!