Last night I saw Jane Eyre at the Electric on Portobello Road. From pop up back rests to leather footstools, I have catapulted across the cinema spectrum in 24 hours.
It is slightly unfortunate that my discovery of boutique cinemas comes so soon after my discovery of the joys of film watching. I can see this being quite expensive. After sitting in one of these with a glass of wine, it will be hard to go back.
I was worried that the combination of tired Issa, wine and slouchy armchairs would overpower the reason for going; but, actually, it was great to have an unblocked view and uncramped legs, and to be able to fully enjoy the experience of watching a good film.
And it was a good film.
Jane Eyre is one of my favourite novels. I didn’t know if two novels-to-films in close promximity was a bit risky but I seem to have done okay. The characters didn’t jar with my imagination, and the power of Brontë’s language was not lost. What’s more, the dresses were great and Mr Rochester, whilst not quite as angry or passionate as my version, was lovely to look at.
Sold?
If not, here are a few other things that made my boutique cinema experience…
- There was a bar at the back and the nachos were on plates, rather than in cardboard boxes
- You could also buy posh sausage rolls or olives, if popcorn isn’t your thing
- If you’re feeling flash, you can pay a little extra for a sofa
- …or for a bottle of champagne to go in the wine cooler things that were built into the armrest
- The lights are on through the trailers so you know that, when it gets darker, the film is really about to begin.
- They have cowshed soap in the toilets. It’s the little things….
As you might have guessed, I’m going back.
