DVD Talk review of 'The Painted Veil'
12-19-06, 11:10 AM
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DVD Talk review of 'The Painted Veil'
I read Jamie S. Rich's DVD review of The Painted Veil at http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=25711 and... he apparently saw an entirely different movie than I saw (at a pre-screening in L.A.) I'm a professional writer and former actress, and it appears that it's Rich who has a stick up his butt. He obviously just doesn't like Edward Norton, which appears to be personal rather than any real critique of his performances. Expecting Naomi Watts' character to bring her frivolity to China with her after she has lost the man she thought would save her and been stuck with a man who hates her guts is utterly ludicrous.
05-09-07, 09:17 AM
#2
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The film just came out on DVD, I rented it and it's time to update this thread.
The Painted Veil is an amazing film on every level. The comparison with Merchant-Ivory fims is apt. I am just surprised that people are still making them nowadays where they can be lost in the glut of C.R.A.P. (comicbook-related action pictures) invading our screens.
The story by Somerset Maugham cannot be faulted (it's been filmed twice before, once with Greta Garbo, in probably her best performance but, alas, not available on DVD). It's a nice twist on the same author's "The Letter", which has the same premise but a totally different ending and morality.
This story of how a frivolous young British nobody gradually falls in love with her husband of convenience is full of nuances and I found it believable every step of the way.
The location photography, the virtuoso performances of Edward Norton, Naomi Watts and Liev Schrieber, the work of the Chinese actors, the art direction, the presence and intelligence of Diana Rigg, but, most of all, I think, the music of Alexandre Desplat (who wrote the incredible score to The Queen and is also responsible for the choice of very affecting incidental music in this one) make this a masterpiece of modern filmmaking.
The Painted Veil is an amazing film on every level. The comparison with Merchant-Ivory fims is apt. I am just surprised that people are still making them nowadays where they can be lost in the glut of C.R.A.P. (comicbook-related action pictures) invading our screens.
The story by Somerset Maugham cannot be faulted (it's been filmed twice before, once with Greta Garbo, in probably her best performance but, alas, not available on DVD). It's a nice twist on the same author's "The Letter", which has the same premise but a totally different ending and morality.
This story of how a frivolous young British nobody gradually falls in love with her husband of convenience is full of nuances and I found it believable every step of the way.
The location photography, the virtuoso performances of Edward Norton, Naomi Watts and Liev Schrieber, the work of the Chinese actors, the art direction, the presence and intelligence of Diana Rigg, but, most of all, I think, the music of Alexandre Desplat (who wrote the incredible score to The Queen and is also responsible for the choice of very affecting incidental music in this one) make this a masterpiece of modern filmmaking.
Last edited by baracine; 05-09-07 at 09:20 AM.
05-09-07, 09:34 AM
#3
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Originally Posted by baracine
The film just came out on DVD, I rented it and it's time to update this thread.
"The Painted Veil" is an amazing film on every level. The comparison with Merchant-Ivory fims is apt. I am just surprised that people are still making them nowadays where they can be lost in the glut of C.R.A.P. (comicbook-related action pictures) invading our screens.
The story by Somerset Maugham cannot be faulted (it's been filmed twice before, once with Greta Garbo, in probably her best performance but, alas, not available on DVD). It's a nice twist on the same author's "The Letter", which has the same premise but a totally different ending and morality.
This story of how a frivolous young British nobody gradually falls in love with her husband of convenience is full of nuances and I found it believable every step of the way.
The location photography, the virtuoso performances of Edward Norton, Naomi Watts and Liev Schrieber, the work of the Chinese actors, the art direction, the presence and intelligence of Diana Rigg, but, most of all, I think, the music of Alexandre Desplat (who wrote the incredible score to "The Queen" and is also responsible for the choice of very affecting incidental music in this one) make this a masterpiece of modern filmmaking.
"The Painted Veil" is an amazing film on every level. The comparison with Merchant-Ivory fims is apt. I am just surprised that people are still making them nowadays where they can be lost in the glut of C.R.A.P. (comicbook-related action pictures) invading our screens.
The story by Somerset Maugham cannot be faulted (it's been filmed twice before, once with Greta Garbo, in probably her best performance but, alas, not available on DVD). It's a nice twist on the same author's "The Letter", which has the same premise but a totally different ending and morality.
This story of how a frivolous young British nobody gradually falls in love with her husband of convenience is full of nuances and I found it believable every step of the way.
The location photography, the virtuoso performances of Edward Norton, Naomi Watts and Liev Schrieber, the work of the Chinese actors, the art direction, the presence and intelligence of Diana Rigg, but, most of all, I think, the music of Alexandre Desplat (who wrote the incredible score to "The Queen" and is also responsible for the choice of very affecting incidental music in this one) make this a masterpiece of modern filmmaking.
05-09-07, 09:41 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
It won a Golden Globe for Best Score. Sadly, incredibly, it didn't receive any Oscar nominations. Wonderful film.
