The Governess

Rating:
Summary: Nice, although it tends to drag
Review: This movie is very beautiful watch, although it does tend to drag itself out at times...but overall I found it very enjoyable. But Jonathan Rhys Myers could've used a bit more screen time...

Rating:
Summary: The fixation of memory and the essence of people
Review: This movie, set in the late 1830's or early 1840's, combines the divide between Jews and Gentiles, the struggles women had to have in a patriarchal society, and the search for a permament fixative agent in photography.

Rosina is a young Jewish women whose father unexpectedly dies. This is disaster for women, because their career options were limited to three: marriage, prostitution, or domestic employment. Rosina though is quite plucky, and after a meeting with an elderly fishmonger, says she'd rather be a prostitute. Fortunately, she finds a situation in the paper, much to the distress of her mother, who wants her to carry on the tradition and be married to a Jew. However, she has to change her name to something more English, change into more acceptable clothing, and for her new adventure, to learn math and the New Testament.

Undaunted, Rosina, going by the alias Mary Blackchurch, goes to the Isle of Skye in Scotland and the Cavendishes to become a governess for their daughter Clementina. The mother is a bit of an insipid and weak-willed woman mostly in bed, whom Rosina/Mary describes as "speak[ing] like she has a lemon up her posterior." The daughter is a little horror at first, but they become friends. As for Charles Cavendish, he's busy working on research trying to find that elusive fixative process in photography. Rosina has had lot of learning from her family, and interested, becomes his assistant. He has some sample photos, but they quickly dissolve after exposure to sunlight. However, due to a serendipitous accident, Rosina discovers it, much to their delight. His disinterest in capturing human faces changes when Rosina becomes his subject, and before long, that blossoms into an affair. Rosina herself finds herself in a privileged position, as both she and Cavendish will become famous after reporting their findings to the Royal Society. This will thrust her above the ordinary woman, especially considering she's Jewish. She becomes more confident, more so than any woman. In short, she considers herself Cavendish's equal, and it's her own turn behind the lens that leads to disaster.

The concept of photography was quite revolutionary when formulated by Niepce and his partner Daguerre. As Rosina observes, photography captures the essence of people. The fixative agent serves to fix the memory of people. Nowadays, we take photography for granted, but think of what it meant back then, proof that someone existed, a visual historical document, that also influenced the schools of art. And only a privileged few could master the technique. And think what it meant for photographers like Matthew Brady in the Civil War or Jacob Riis in the 1890's.

The scene of Cavendish taking his pictures of Mary is revealing, as we see his single eye through the peephole of the camera, which then closes, after which the picture is taken. While it represents photographer and subject, it also represents the barrier between men and women as well as English and Jew. On one side of the lens, there are the favoured, men and English, who can see everything. All Jews and women can see is the eye of the elite looking at them, signifying their powerlessness. The fact that Mary gets that opportunity shows how lucky and plucky she is with the roles reversed.

As Rosina/Mary, Minnie Driver puts a lot into a very complex character. Initially, the viewer learns how Rosina wants to be on stage. The rich learning from her family lends to her scientific and rational capacity, but her romantic and idealistic side comes into play once she succeeds and feels she could be anything she wanted. In contrast, Tom Wilkinson's Cavendish is someone unable to cope with his mind out of control, in the realms of passion, more comfortable with passionless and dry science, objects as opposed to people. And it's a discomfort that turns to anger. Arlene Cockburn, who plays Lily the maid, also appeared in The Winter Guest as the tomboyish Nita.

An interesting movie that may go a bit long, but boosted by Minnie Driver, who's at her most sensuous here.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible pseudo-art flick
Review: This was an awful, awful movie. The characters were not believable, uninspiring, and I felt completely unable to empathize with them. There were many shots which could have been beautiful, but in the context of the movie they felt out of place and contrived. I watched this with my family and all of us agreed that it was absurd and thoroughly unenjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Luscious.
Review: We were swept away by the scenery, the story, the love affair... Minnie Driver was a delight to watch. Her awakening sensuality was mesmerizing. Perhaps her character is a bit "modern" for that particular time period, but we loved the idea of such a headstrong, intelligent, spiritual (and spirited!) woman finding her own way -- despite others. Tom Wilkinson surprised us with his sex appeal too! Nice job. The sweeping landscape and ocean scenes were breathtaking. The secondary story involving the development of photographs was intriguing and creative.

Rating:
Summary: Stuff And Things
Review: Well, what can I say? I adored this movie - acting was fabulous, all characters were vivid and well thought out. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was *beautiful*, everyone should see him ;)

Rating:
Summary: Pretentious though very stylish & pretty movie
Review: What a disappointment this film is. It is so beautifully conceived & visually presented, but the histrionics are like something out of a Barbra Streisand vanity production. Minny Driver & the rest are fine actors, but unfortunately the lines they speak & the plot the follow are embarrassingly puerile. Watch Angels & Insects to see how this kind of film can be done infinitely better.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful...some wonderful performances. Worth seeing!
Review: Whoa! only criticisim I've got is that we could've done w/o seeing so much of Cavendish, both literally & figureativly. Minnie D. was perfect; she captured me with both her sensuality and her emotions---what other film do you know of where you want to cry with the woman because she makes it so real? Like I said, I wasn't that impressed wl old Cavendish. The little girl was great---perfectly bratty, yet sweet @ times. The mother was pitiful; either its a great act or I wouldn't want to meet her;>. As for Henry...Ohh, my God. Beauitiful, arousing, wl a elegant body...You know that saying; "Dangerous when wet"? Well, whoa, ooohhhh, yesss---it sure applies here! Nothing hidden, either...thank God for a female director! And, besides, who wouldn't want him in their chamber...obeying you when you say; "Take off your clothes...I want to see you" and then, I ask you who disagree, would running YOUR hands over him...change your mind? :> And as for the sea rage, I will let oyu experience that yourself.;> But don't let oyur sympathy cloud your vision...j/k.Not. All in all, great. Worth four bucks. Or even 10. enjoy...and let me know what you thought; I like discussions. -Ariel