Amazon.co.uk Review
Queen of the costume drama Helena Bonham Carter finally got a chance to loosen her corset a bit with this exquisitely mounted (Sandy Powell's costumes were nominated for an Academy Award) romantic drama based on Henry James's classic novel.
Set in turn-of-the-century London and Venice, Wings of the Dove is a stately departure--more PBS than MTV--for Iain Softley, director of Hackers and the birth-of-the-Beatles biopic Backbeat. But there's enough romantic intrigue to perhaps fuel a week's worth of daytime TV talk shows: My Lover Seduced a Dying Heiress for Her Money.
Bonham Carter, who won several critics association honours for her performance (she was nominated for a Golden Globe and Oscar as well) stars as Kate, who is engaged in a secret affair with Merton (Linus Roache), a journalist whose poor financial standing makes marriage impossible. Kate's manipulative aunt (Charlotte Rampling) threatens to disown her unless she marries the more suitable Lord Mark (Alex Jennings).
Opportunity--admittedly sordid--arrives in the form of Millie (Alison Elliott), an American heiress whom Kate befriends. When Kate learns that Millie is dying, she suggests to Merton that he seduce her to make her last days happy, and ensuring that Millie will leave Merton her money when she dies. Merton reluctantly agrees, just as Kate begins to have second thoughts that threaten to sabotage the scheme.
One of the most rapturously reviewed films in recent years, Wings of the Dove is a must-own video for the Merchant-Ivory crowd. But guys: don't dismiss this as a "chick flick". Beneath its Masterpiece Theatre exterior beats the wild and untamed heart of Dawson's Creek. --Donald Liebenson
Customer Reviews:
Love cannot be calculated,.......2007-10-23
Three reasons that this film shines:
1. An excellent screenplay that captures the gist of the novel and without getting bogged down.
2. Alison Elliot and Linus Roache outperform Helena Bonham Carter, no small feat, to create a special love.
3. Venice, shot so as to seem completely in the period of the story, makes it clear why this city was (and is) special.
This one is to be watched with a glass of good red wine........2007-04-26
If you liked 'A room with a view' (which I am waiting for Universal to publish PROPERLY on DVD. The current version is a mess), you are bound to enjoy this piece like I did.
Helena Bonham carter, Linus Roache, Alison Elliott and Charlotte Rampling (my favourite in this film) all play beautifully. They express the character's emotions in a very subtle yet effective way - just a glance, almost unhearable whispers, or even silence. Each scene is carefully crafted + shot. It is just like a series of beautiful paintings.
This one is to be watched with a glass of good red wine.
3 1/2 stars really!.......2007-03-28
Set in the early 1900's the movie focuses on the relationship (almost love triangle) between Kate, Millie and Merton. Kate and Merton have been together for about a year and although they want to marry he is not of the same social class. When Kate befriends Millie (who is rich) and finds out she is dying she hatches a plan for Merton to seduce her and inherit her fortune.
Of course these plans never do turn out to be that simple. Unfortunately the writers failed to come up with a decent climax/ twist in the tale. This knocks the whole thing down a few notches as it didn't live up to my expectations.
It is beautifully shot though with some wonderful settings. The acting brings out a lot of the story without the need of words.
All in all ends up being slightly above a so-so movie.
Gripping story of love, deceit and debasement.......2006-07-20
I thought this was a powerful film, with a gripping story of love, deceit and collective debasement. The finale to the film is particularly strong, especially a chilling final scene back in rainy London.
A very enjoyable film.......2006-06-01
I have seen this film several times and enjoy it a great deal. I can't fault any of the performances and save particular praise for Linus Roache who's portrayal of Merton is sensitive and moving. This is a love story where everyone is aloof and disengaged from one another until the emotional climax between Milly and Merton when a terrible deception is revealed. The tone of the film and the characters personalities are changed forever from this point as this intense scene strips away the reality of the central characters feelings. An excellent film in the Merchant Ivory vein; emotionally rewarding rather than romantic.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Queen of the costume drama Helena Bonham Carter finally got a chance to loosen her corset a bit with this exquisitely mounted (Sandy Powell's costumes were nominated for an Academy Award) romantic drama based on Henry James's classic novel.
Set in turn-of-the-century London and Venice, Wings of the Dove is a stately departure--more PBS than MTV--for Iain Softley, director of Hackers and the birth-of-the-Beatles biopic Backbeat. But there's enough romantic intrigue to perhaps fuel a week's worth of daytime TV talk shows: My Lover Seduced a Dying Heiress for Her Money.
Bonham Carter, who won several critics association honours for her performance (she was nominated for a Golden Globe and Oscar as well) stars as Kate, who is engaged in a secret affair with Merton (Linus Roache), a journalist whose poor financial standing makes marriage impossible. Kate's manipulative aunt (Charlotte Rampling) threatens to disown her unless she marries the more suitable Lord Mark (Alex Jennings).
Opportunity--admittedly sordid--arrives in the form of Millie (Alison Elliott), an American heiress whom Kate befriends. When Kate learns that Millie is dying, she suggests to Merton that he seduce her to make her last days happy, and ensuring that Millie will leave Merton her money when she dies. Merton reluctantly agrees, just as Kate begins to have second thoughts that threaten to sabotage the scheme.
One of the most rapturously reviewed films in recent years, Wings of the Dove is a must-own video for the Merchant-Ivory crowd. But guys: don't dismiss this as a "chick flick". Beneath its Masterpiece Theatre exterior beats the wild and untamed heart of Dawson's Creek. --Donald Liebenson
Customer Reviews:
Love cannot be calculated,.......2007-10-23
Three reasons that this film shines:
1. An excellent screenplay that captures the gist of the novel and without getting bogged down.
2. Alison Elliot and Linus Roache outperform Helena Bonham Carter, no small feat, to create a special love.
3. Venice, shot so as to seem completely in the period of the story, makes it clear why this city was (and is) special.
This one is to be watched with a glass of good red wine........2007-04-26
If you liked 'A room with a view' (which I am waiting for Universal to publish PROPERLY on DVD. The current version is a mess), you are bound to enjoy this piece like I did.
Helena Bonham carter, Linus Roache, Alison Elliott and Charlotte Rampling (my favourite in this film) all play beautifully. They express the character's emotions in a very subtle yet effective way - just a glance, almost unhearable whispers, or even silence. Each scene is carefully crafted + shot. It is just like a series of beautiful paintings.
This one is to be watched with a glass of good red wine.
3 1/2 stars really!.......2007-03-28
Set in the early 1900's the movie focuses on the relationship (almost love triangle) between Kate, Millie and Merton. Kate and Merton have been together for about a year and although they want to marry he is not of the same social class. When Kate befriends Millie (who is rich) and finds out she is dying she hatches a plan for Merton to seduce her and inherit her fortune.
Of course these plans never do turn out to be that simple. Unfortunately the writers failed to come up with a decent climax/ twist in the tale. This knocks the whole thing down a few notches as it didn't live up to my expectations.
It is beautifully shot though with some wonderful settings. The acting brings out a lot of the story without the need of words.
All in all ends up being slightly above a so-so movie.
Gripping story of love, deceit and debasement.......2006-07-20
I thought this was a powerful film, with a gripping story of love, deceit and collective debasement. The finale to the film is particularly strong, especially a chilling final scene back in rainy London.
A very enjoyable film.......2006-06-01
I have seen this film several times and enjoy it a great deal. I can't fault any of the performances and save particular praise for Linus Roache who's portrayal of Merton is sensitive and moving. This is a love story where everyone is aloof and disengaged from one another until the emotional climax between Milly and Merton when a terrible deception is revealed. The tone of the film and the characters personalities are changed forever from this point as this intense scene strips away the reality of the central characters feelings. An excellent film in the Merchant Ivory vein; emotionally rewarding rather than romantic.
UK DVD:
- Three Kings [2000]
- Titus [1999]
- Tuesdays With Morrie [1999]
- Vera Drake [2004]
- Werner Herzog Box Set 2
- Widows - Series 1 [1983]
- Widows - Series 2 [1985]
- Without A Trace - Season 2
- 2046 [2005]
- Amelie / A Very Long Engagement
UK DVD List
UK DVD
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