A delicate froth of a tale. Henry James stories are all in the subtleties of human behaviour, the unacknowledged depth of our desires, the secrecy of our manipulations. Many plusses to commend it, not least of which is the setting of Venice for most of the story, just saturated in rich colours. Many scenes of satin/silk clothing reclining on matching satin/silk furniture, a cocktail for the eye.
Helena Bonham-Carter (playing Kate) never fails to deliver incredible performances, ably assisted by her looks which belong to another century, the eighteenth or nineteenth. Alison Elliot plays Millie, the dying rich girl who is the prey of Kate, penniless, in love with an impoverished journalist, Merton, played by Linus Roache. Kate's desire drives the plot but the subtleties are in Millie's acknowledgment of it and the effect of the machinations on the tortured Merton.
Many wonderful bits, particularly Michael Gambon as Kate's alcoholic father and Charlotte Rampling as her aunt who sees everything. Too light a tale to sustain a full movie-length, some annoying anachronistic bits. 6 out of 10.
Helena Bonham-Carter (playing Kate) never fails to deliver incredible performances, ably assisted by her looks which belong to another century, the eighteenth or nineteenth. Alison Elliot plays Millie, the dying rich girl who is the prey of Kate, penniless, in love with an impoverished journalist, Merton, played by Linus Roache. Kate's desire drives the plot but the subtleties are in Millie's acknowledgment of it and the effect of the machinations on the tortured Merton.
Many wonderful bits, particularly Michael Gambon as Kate's alcoholic father and Charlotte Rampling as her aunt who sees everything. Too light a tale to sustain a full movie-length, some annoying anachronistic bits. 6 out of 10.