ABSTRACT

As with all parts of love stories, there are films that may not be great in every way, but that get certain aspects absolutely right, and one can learn from those. Though sometimes the films themselves are also great. One of the classic Throwdown kisses is from the Orson Welles/Joan Fontaine 1943 version of Jane Eyre. In the last scene Jane comes back to Thornfield, drawn by her love of Mr. Rochester, or as one come to know him by this point, Edward. Since Jane last saw him, he has been terribly burned and blinded in a fire that destroyed much of his lovely home and killed his mad wife, who in fact started the blaze. She was also the barrier between Jane and Edward. Sometimes it is even better when an actor who assumed did not have the Throwdown, throws down big time and blows away. This chapter explores the elements of a great Throwdown.