The Painted Veil
When Walter finds out about this, he decides to accept a job in a remote Chinese village ravaged by the Cholera epidemic, and takes Kitty with him as vengeange. Here, however, both spouses find a new purpose, and find themselves rediscovering each other in true romantic fashion.
- Director:
- John Curran ('We Don't Live Here Anymore')
- Writer:
- Ron Nyswaner
- Cast:
- Edward NortonNaomi WattsLiev SchreiberToby JonesZoe TelfordDiana Rigg
Reviews & comments
enjoyable enough
Watts can act, Norton can't. Maybe miscast. Lovely stuff from Diana Rigg - good on her fearless ageing. Great cinematography from NZ's own Stuart Dryhberg, and gorgeous atmospheric landscapes that you want to linger on. Maughans story is a cut above the predictable scripts. so all in all, a nice sunday afternoon film for an escape from a rainy day.
Variety
pressEven the ultra-capable Norton and Watts aren't fully able to galvanize viewer interest in their narrowly self-absorbed characters.
The New York Times
pressAn inveterate stealer and masticator of scenes, Mr. Norton is very fine here, especially early on, before his billing gets the better of the story and he begins riding around heroically on horseback.
The Guardian
pressI can't praise too highly the cinematography by New Zealander Stuart Dryburgh, whose interiors, shot in a Beijing studio, are as beautifully lit as the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby.
Rolling Stone
pressThe Painted Veil has the power and intimacy of a timeless love story. By all means, let it sweep you away.
New Zealand Herald
pressNorton, an American, and Australian Watts are so busy struggling with their accents that they never really find their characters' hearts. But it's a solid piece of period escapism.
Los Angeles Times
pressHas all the elements in place to be a great epic, but it fails to connect, to paraphrase Maugham's contemporary E.M. Forster, the prose with the passion. It's impeccable, but leaves you cold.
BBC
pressYes, it lags at times, but overall this is a satisfyingly slow-burning romance, beautifully scored and acted.
Variety
pressEven the ultra-capable Norton and Watts aren't fully able to galvanize viewer interest in their narrowly self-absorbed characters.
The New York Times
pressAn inveterate stealer and masticator of scenes, Mr. Norton is very fine here, especially early on, before his billing gets the better of the story and he begins riding around heroically on horseback.
The Guardian
pressI can't praise too highly the cinematography by New Zealander Stuart Dryburgh, whose interiors, shot in a Beijing studio, are as beautifully lit as the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby.
Rolling Stone
pressThe Painted Veil has the power and intimacy of a timeless love story. By all means, let it sweep you away.
New Zealand Herald
pressNorton, an American, and Australian Watts are so busy struggling with their accents that they never really find their characters' hearts. But it's a solid piece of period escapism.
Los Angeles Times
pressHas all the elements in place to be a great epic, but it fails to connect, to paraphrase Maugham's contemporary E.M. Forster, the prose with the passion. It's impeccable, but leaves you cold.
BBC
pressYes, it lags at times, but overall this is a satisfyingly slow-burning romance, beautifully scored and acted.
enjoyable enough
Watts can act, Norton can't. Maybe miscast. Lovely stuff from Diana Rigg - good on her fearless ageing. Great cinematography from NZ's own Stuart Dryhberg, and gorgeous atmospheric landscapes that you want to linger on. Maughans story is a cut above the predictable scripts. so all in all, a nice sunday afternoon film for an escape from a rainy day.
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