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I found the phrase ‘Long on looks, short on spirit’ in the Washington Post article written by Ann Hornaday (http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/jane-eyre,1164774/critic-review.html#reviewNum1).
What does ‘Long on looks, short on spirit’ mean? To me it sounds like saying ‘Have a big picture, but be realistic’, but I don’t know. Is this a well-worn English cliché or Charlotte Bronte’s coinage? In what occasion can I use this phrase?
I wouldn't say that this exact phrase is a well-worn cliche, but the format is well known. I've also heard 'Long on style, short on substance', as well as other variations.
The meaning of each of these types of statements is to compare traits of a larger subject, especially when one trait is vastly overrepresented compared to the other, "Long on [trait A], short on [trait B]." (This is also true if one trait is vastly under-represented.)
My guess is that the character in question is physically attractive, but isn't passionate enough (emotional enough, emotive enough) for the role. Which is why the reviewer talks about missing the "the spark of rebellion" in the heroine.
Come to think of it, the phrase could also refer to the work (or a work) as a whole. Handsomely staged, but without a subversive spirit. Beautiful sets and costumes, but lacking heart. Stunning but superficial. Or something similar to similar effect.
The article explains exactly what the title means:
And it’s just that spark that’s fatally missing from Mia Wasikowska’s elegant but inert portrayal in “Jane Eyre,” which while qualifying as the most gorgeously appointed and finely detailed version of the novel so far, still lacks the element of essential fire to make it come fully, even subversively, to life.
The "long on [x], short on [y]" construction is a fairly common trope. It means basically "has plenty of [x], but not enough [y]". Thus, "elegant but inert" - the reviewer thought the movie was gorgeous to look at, but she thought the heroine didn't show enough of the emotions she would have liked to see.
I believe that several of the answers are close but not quite right.
The phrase is referring to two attributes, both of which are necessary for something to succeed. So someone who is "long on intelligence, but short on initiative" is someone who is quite smart but doesn't follow through on their ideas, thus failing to accomplish them.
So the primary implication is that the overall effort was insufficient and failed because of the shortcoming, and the secondary implication is that those in charge over-emphasized the strength in a failed attempt to overcome the weakness.
