In 1998, the Modern Library ranked "The Wings of the Dove" 26th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Having such a strong literary background is always a double edged sword, since people will (by default) have high expectations. And the execution falls very far from this. The only redeeming quality of this movie is its beautiful cinematography, but everything else leaves you completely cold. The personalities of the characters, the essential part of every great movie ever made, fall flat from the beginning to the end. You will not feel sadness, anger, love or hate for the participants, you just won't care. At least this is how it worked for me. Maybe I should (like a lot of other people) simply adapt lower standards for Hollywood made movies. But that wouldn't be fair, would it?
Review of The Wings of the Dove
