While this sports some fabulous names in film circles
it certainly left a lot to be desired. As far as the actual film goes I can only say I was
disappointed. The performances though were sensational and gave an enormous amount of
feeling to this film.
Starring the likes of Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, John Gielgud, Barbara Hershey and
Richard Grant and Directed by Jane Campion I was expecting a feast of a film. I would
categorise this closely to an almost art house film, which I generally like but for some
reason the film became more and more distasteful as it went on.
Based in England in the late 1800’s; Nicole Kidman plays Isabel Archer a young
independent fiery woman who has moved to England from America after the death of her
parents. The basis of the beginning of the film is everyone’s intent for her to marry
and marry well. Isabel has no intention of settling down tough and is intent on seeing the
world and experiencing everything she can in life first. All of this seems infinitely
possible when she inherits her uncle’s fortune upon his death.
With this fortune she travels to Rome and meets the man who is soon to be her husband.
Gilbert Osmond played brilliantly by John Malkovich is a conspiring contemptible man who
is only interested in marrying Isabel for her money and Isabel is more consumed in
interest for the bizarre behaviour of Osmond than having an actual interest in marrying
him.
The rest of the film is based on their destructive and depressing marriage and
it’s unfolding events.
Jane Campion has some underlying intentions in this film, which I don’t think I
picked up on as there are several messages which really did not makes sense to me. But
then it may just be a film I need to watch several times to really get the gist of it all.
(1.78:1) 
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