Nobody has posted one thing about this beautiful film? No one has mentioned anything about Helena Bonham Carter's portrayal of the self-destructive Kate Croy, or the shining light of Millie played wonderfully by Alison Elliot? No mention of Linus Roache?? Lets get this thread on the go, it would be a shame to leave this film in the dark on its own IMDB message board...
shareI have to agree with Aphrodite. This is a lovely film, and has one of the best uses of widescreen cinema I've ever seen, extraordinarily lit.
shareMy god I just saw this movie for the first time last night and I AM SO IN LOVE WITH IT!!!!! It's just so dark. But what do you think happens in the end -- do they stay together? Her with the money and him with his memories? Or is she too proud and leaves him? Does it tell us in the book?
shareNo they do not stay together, he goes back to Italy with his memories and neither one of them gets the money. He was quite adamant when he told Kate he would never take Millies money. As for Kate, who knows? Probably went back very unhappy to her oh so snobby rich aunt.
shareAfter Milly's death, I believe it is Merton who leaves Kate. He doesn't want the money Milly left him in her will and he no longer wants Kate because he is ashamed of his behaviour and Kate's. I am currently reading the book and it may end quite differently than the movie. The book is a chore to read but I loved the movie...
shareI saw this film when I was about 16-years-old and I felt that it was one of the most exiquisite piece of cinematic material I had ever seen. I had also read the book and it was adapted very nicely into this film. In fact, it is in my opinion that it should have won Best Adapted Screenplay but there were several other notable films that year. I cannot picture any other actress taking the leading role than Miss Carter. I only wish more people knew about this film.
shareI disagree. I was really dissapointed in this movie. It was a confusing and choppy adapation. The acting was stiff, especially Helena Bonham Carter's. She only had two expressions: bored and slightly more amused than bored. The whole movie, despite elaborate costumes and colorful scenes, was drab and dreary. How could a movie about such passionate themes be so bloodless?
shareI thought it was a wonderful film. The darkness depicted seemed to add to the story for me...I just didn't care for the sex scene at the very end. Seemed rather pointless to me and too contrived. Otherwise I have no qualms with the film. It was beautifully shot.
shareOne point of the sex scene in the end was to show how there was nothing left between the two lovers. Merton was consumed with the love he felt for Millie (and would always feel even though she was dead), and Kate realized this and knew that things would never be the same. I love that scene because it is so heartbreaking when Kate asks Merton if he is in love with Milllie's memory, and he doesn't say a word. It is obvious that they are at a point of no return and their love has not only been tainted by their own greedy plan to use an innocent person just so they can get her money when she dies, but by the fact that Merton's love for Millie was unconditional and everlasting. He could be himself around Millie, but with Kate and the rest of her family he just wasn't "good enough" because he was not a wealthy high-society man.
shareThis film is ok, but to see these same themes and schemes turned up to 11 try Dangerous Liasons. In my opinion, the actual writing and acting and filming all are 5-star on that one! Of course the Henry James one dealt more with money as the motivator. True love always wins! Yea for true love!! Well, I guess it didn't quite work out...
shareThe cinematography and lighting were exquisite, pure Impressionism. During each scene, I felt like I was walking through a museum of Impressionist art. The luminous dark masterfully shaded the shimmering light, causing a hypnotic effect. The musical score was captivating. The deep, rich, variant hues of blue reflected the characters' emotions, struggling against gilded, lush, creamy surroundings; the exotic musical themes accentuated the repressed sensuality; the equally erotic Klint paintings revealed the characters' hidden, bursting, sexual desires. And, at the end, there is no release.
This was a magnificient film, Eduardo Serra deserved an Oscar, along with Helena Bonham-Carter.
Serra also worked on the cinematography for the stunning films A Map Of The Human Heart, Girl With A Pearl Earing, La Veuve Fe Saint-Pierre, Jude, Tango, and La Fleur Du Mal.
As for director Iain Softley, he should be ashamed of himself for going from The Wings Of The Dove to The Toni Braxton Video Collection to K-Pax.
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I just saw this one. Never even heard of it before. Just got lucky and caught it on late night t.v. What a beautiful movie. It seems so sad to me that the Carter's character couldn't have just been honest with her friend. Jealousy is such an ugly green eyed monster. Jude was another great movie. Also loved Dangerous Liasons. Carter was just fantastic in this. But then she always is.
sharestlouisgirl777 -you should check out Dangerous Beauty. I think you might like that one too.