Rating: 
Summary: Carter's best performance
Review: If you like Helena Bonham Carter (and how could you not?), this is a must see. This is her best performance of her career, including "Room With a View," and she should have gotten the Oscar. She is at once despicable and tragic and few actresses could have pulled the roll off at all, let alone mastered it. The other actors are also superb, and it has been shot beautifully.
Rating:
Summary: Helena Bonham Carter's finest hour.
Review: In 'The Wings of the Dove', as in 'The Portrait of a Lady', Henry James offers us his popular theme of class-conscious, fortune-hunting Brits exploiting the innocent wealthy American girl. Only this time the action is viewed from the perspective of the victimizer who becomes her own victim. Helena Bonham Carter as Kate Croy the English adventuress, Linus Roache as Merton Densher her impecunious journalist lover, and Allison Elliot as Millie Theale their intended victim, are the principal actors in this drama of psychological twists and turns. In the opening scene Carter, swathed from head to foot in Victorian attire, exudes an aura of compelling eroticism as she trysts with her lover, Merton, in a crowded tram-car. In the film's closing scene, in bed with him stark naked her whole body reflects the despair of her plots gone wrong. In between this sensual opening and this depressing conclusion her gorgeous face is a telling kaleidoscope of emotions. Carter can register more with her eyes than most actors can with a whole script, and the camera under Ian Softley's direction lingers upon her face as Carter's convincing expressions underscore the nuances of the action. As Kate's plot congeals and unravels with her own conflicting emotions Carter projects a welter of pragmatic and sympathetic motives. Trapped by her love for middleclass Merton, her devotion to her penniless father, and her ambition for wealth and position, Kate inveigles herself into a close relationship with Millie, the wealthy winsome American girl making her Grand Tour even as she is dying of cancer. Millie, warm-hearted and brave, falls in love with Merton at first sight without knowing that he is Kate's lover. Reluctantly, Merton allows himself to be used to satisfy the girl's need for love. In an utterly moving scene at the climax of the film, Millie reveals the depths of her own character when the realization of how she has been duped is forced upon her. Millie dies and Merton is devastated by his own treachery. "If I had wings like a dove I would fly away and be at rest," are the words that fill him at her funeral. Director Softley touches deftly upon this moving scene and moves into the denouement. Now Kate has what she wanted, Merton and the fortune, which Millie has left to her. But Millie has left something else as well...the enfolding wings of the dove. In Carter's hands Kate is never a really unsympathetic character, and in the end she is a truly tragic one.
Rating: 
Summary: A fine example of what "true love" can make people do.
Review: Love in its purest form can lead a person to do many things. In this movie, the pure love that existed between Merton and Kate, led only to disaster and tradgedy. Characters were under-explored, and important scenes underplayed. However, a love story nonetheless and worth watching for the costumes, scenery and atmosphere it evokes.
Rating:
Summary: TO HEIR IS HUMAN, TO MURDER..........?
Review: Magnificently costumed [exact Period fabric choices, etc.]; brilliantly photographed, a Sterling cast - Helena Bonham-Carter, [corseted to perfection!], Linus Roache, [utterly devine as the weak-willed love interest], Charlotte Rampling, [brief but unforgettable as the Aunt]. Yes, another sad Henry James excursion into the mind and deeds of the late frustrated Victorian female. A Simple plot, young woman, threatened by rich Aunt regarding $$$$ and marrying into money {didn't we also see this in "Titanic"?}, wants to "marry for love", persuades poor lover to seduce {?} beautiful, and handy dying heiress, marry her, grab the loot when she dies, and then marry "true love". Oh dear, doomed fromt he start........ It's a trifle similar to the earlier "Heiress" [Olivia de Havilland] remade as "Washington Square" [original title - with Jennifer Jason Leigh], but this gal has a little more oomph! The plan works well and for one instant we expect perhaps a .... menage? No, the end is rather devastating - shades of Eugene O'Neill .... Quite erotic too - especially the opening sequence in the creaking subway elevator, surprising! Great sense of period! AND for total depression? Add "Portrait of a Lady", "The Heiress" and "Washington Square". Sobering tales about Great-Grandma and company!
Rating:
Summary: Best and deepest of it's genre
Review: Merchant Ivory produced ten movies from 1986 to the mid 90's, making up a distinct british subspecies of uptight-victorian melodrama, the kind that have brought Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson to world fame. This isn't one of their most famous works, but I like it very much. One reason is Alison Elliot, whom I fell for immediately. Julian Sands is also a talented actor when he's not playing a warlock or wizard. Basically, this movie had punch. I could feel Sands' greed, and his shame at his base motivations. And I also felt Ms. Elliot's despair and resignation as her ilness progressed. She knew she was being doublecrossed, but still went forward and gave the money in an act of forgiveness and grace. The effect was sublime, and deeper than I expect from cinema these days. The production and cinematography were also quite beautiful. Merchant Ivory haven't done very much lately. I do miss them.
Rating:
Summary: 1910 eroticized for 1997, should have been a beautiful PG,
Review: not R-rated,and that would have been suitable for the whole family. Amazing how a truly beautiful and near=perfect film had to be needlessly sexualized. The first scene in the subway elevator, was that supposed to have happened,was it a dream,was it in the book? (maybe I should read it,but I cannot even get past a James first page.). All the way to the very end, it was perfect,terrific costumes in every scene,old London,parties, family money intrigues,1910 motorcars, Venice gondolas, subtley manipulative characters. Milly was more and more sympathetic to the sad end. Susan (E. McGovern) seemed little more than an empty mirage for some reason.Then the last final bedroom scene,which should have been toned down,too, which would have made it a lot better,along with a family rating. Still one of most beautiful movies ever. Why can't women,and men too, wear hats like this today? Compared to these characters in this era,we dress like slobs with zero taste!!
Rating:
Summary: What Could the Rain Do to Me?
Review: Rarely has a film of such extraordinary visual beauty reached the profound emotional depths of this magnificently acted period film from Iain Softley. Based on the novel by Henry James, cinematographer Eduardo Serra sets a table of beauty and elegance while screenwriter Houssein Amini serves up dishes of love, passion and desire, all arranged in their proper order by director Softley, creating an unforgettable dining experience. Helena Bonham Carter is Kate, a passionate beauty in love with Martin (Linus Roache), a man without money. Charlotte Rampling is her rich aunt, who may force her to marry well, but not for love. Kate has a fire burning beneath her dark beauty, however, and when fate gives her an opportunity to show Martin how she loves, a dangerous journey down winding currents is begun, and neither she nor Martin will be prepared for what awaits them at the river's end. Alison Elliot is simply marvelous as Millie, her finest role since "The Spitfire Grill." Millie is a charming American girl of great wealth reaching out to touch life before it passes by. She and Kate will become fast and inseparable friends, but Millie's attraction to Martin and a secret discovered by Kate will set in tenuous motion a plan to solve all their problems. When the maneuvering of lives like chess pieces involves both the human heart and someone as special as Millie, however, unforseen complications can arise. Helena Bonham Carter may have received all the nominations as the beautiful and passionate Kate, but Alison Elliot's portrayel of the sweet and open Millie, rich but lonely, and hoping for love, deserved an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination as well. Italy is beautifully recreated from the period in a film of both depth and beauty. This film is a true cinematic masterpiece. Fine Italian lace is gently lifted back to reveal an emotionally naked look at the human heart. It is substance with beauty and beauty with substance, and is not to be missed....
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent adaptation of a complex psychological novel.
Review: Screenwriter Hossein Amini has abandoned the dense prose and convoluted syntax of Henry James's most complex and difficult novel and created instead a fresh, emotionally nuanced, and psychologically astute script, nominated for an Academy Award. With a remarkable cast, breathtaking cinematography (Eduardo Serra), and a soft background score filled with strings, harp, and piano (Edward Shearmur), Director Iain Softley has created a magnificent film that succeeds in being emotionally affecting, intellectually stimulating, and aesthetically rewarding, a film in which every element contributes to a satisfying whole.
Remaining true to the story of James's novel, the film introduces Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) as the beautiful but impoverished niece of a wealthy socialite (Charlotte Rampling), bent upon finding her a husband of means, but Kate must sever ties with her opium-addicted father and end her relationship with Merton Densher (Linus Roache), a penniless journalist. A friend of Kate, heiress Millie Theale (Alison Elliot), invites her to Venice, where Millie insists on living life to the fullest even as she is dying of an unnamed disease. There Kate introduces Millie to Densher, to whom she is immediately attracted. Kate desperately suggests to Densher that he pursue Millie, who may, upon her death, leave Densher wealthy enough to marry Kate.
Without such a brilliant cast, such a story would resemble the worst of melodramas, but Bonham Carter (nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress) creates in Kate a character so tormented by her love that one understands her deviousness to be the result of desperation. Alison Elliot creates a Millie whose strength and desire to live life are so strong that her passion for Densher is plausible, and her willingness to go to his room at night becomes a courageous statement, rather than a maudlin gesture. Linus Roache as Densher is phlegmatic enough that he can be manipulated by Kate, but he shows backbone in his desire to honor Millie and avoids the pitfall of being considered weak.
The acting is subtle, understated, and profoundly affecting, with many revealing close-ups, and emotions conveyed through gestures, body language, and occasionally, mere eye contact. The Academy Award-nominated cinematography, especially in Venice, features individual elements in one scene blending into the succeeding scene, bridges framing action on the canals, and a dramatic use of darkness and light. The Oscar-nominated costuming (Sandy Powell) adds to the mood and atmosphere, with the music providing an effective bridge between scenes. Every aspect of the film works, and not a word or gesture is wasted in this quietly presented drama of great power. Mary Whipple
Rating: 
Summary: Something's missing!
Review: The most star worthy thing I suppose is that the film started out enigmatically - for about a minute or two no one spoke a word. But the rest is forgettable as soon as they begin to speak! Maybe it's because I'd read such wonderful reviews about the film - just maybe that's why it left me relatively flat - I must admit I do have somewhat of a reputation for having high expectations - it wasn't a total letdown though, it was more like I'd expected better acting, stronger feelings n emotions, better love scenes, and more importantly better storytelling. It seems to me that I don't understand a lot about this film: the flashy costume especially when the occasion does not call for one, the incessant rain in London and Venice, the attraction between Kate and Merton - how it got started and why it did. Furthermore, I don't understand the friendship between Milly and Kate. Nor do I understand the emotional connection between Merton and Milly after her death - since he had claimed he didn't love her, but was somehow in love with her memories? The money he gained from her death he didn't want, the love/marriage between him and Kate fizzled afterwards. And it just seems to me so sad, a loose-loose-loose situation....
Is this supposed to be a love story? a tragedy? or what? So muchmore's missing!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie; horrible DVD
Review: The movie is great but if you're buying it to own a high-quality, pristine copy to watch over and over again, you'll be disappointed. The DVD image is covered with white specks, dust, and long hairs. They appear every second or two and are very noticeable even at full-speed. I would expect a VHS tape to have better image quality than this. In addition, I couldn't get the "special features" menu to work on two of my DVD players (although one of my friends has no problem). This continued even after I exchanged the disc for a new one. If you absolutely must own this movie on DVD, then you have no other choice. But for the others, I would warn that this disc does not nearly match the quality of the other 95% of...discs available.
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