Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing period piece
Review: 1998 was a very good year for British movies. Awards and nominations were showered on a number of films, including Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, Waking Ned Divine, Little Voice and Gods and Monsters. There wasn't room for some of their other efforts to share the spotlight. The Governess, which certainly is as good as some of the honored choices, is one of them.The Governess is decidedly not light fare. It takes place in the England of about 1840, when the class system - and therefore, prejudice - was still in power. Women had few legal rights, and the heroine of this story is Jewish. Jews were not oppressed in England, as they were elsewhere, but the times made it difficult for them to interact socially with Gentiles. In Rosina, writer and director Sandra Goldbacker has fashioned a memorable, complex character, which Minnie Driver plays splendidly. Rosina is free-spirited and bohemian, but also shrew and intelligent. When her father dies suddenly, her family is left in debt. She is well educated for her time, but has no particular job skills. Like most girls then, it had always been presumed she would marry. She comes up with a plan to be a governess, but must pretend not to be Jewish, in order to obtain employment. So, she becomes Mary Blackchurch, and obtains a position on the Isle of Skye, off the coast of Scotland. Her employers are the Cavanishes, an eccentric family, typical of people who live in isolated places. The family soon accepts her, and she discovers that all Christians are not the beasts she feared they would be. Of course, keeping her true identity a secret is still necessary. Charles Cavandish [Tom Wilkinson] is a scientist working on an invention. He works strictly alone, but Mary's natural curiosity drives her to find out what he is doing in his lab. When he finds her out, he is so delighted to find someone interested in his work, he makes her his assistant. This sets the stage for a love affair which is heart-wrenching because it is obviously doomed. I was fascinated by Rosina/Mary and by her love affair. Some have said they felt her character was too 90s. I have seen historical romances where this is true, but I do not think this is one of them. Regardless of what period of history we are looking at, the fact is that there have always been women who were independent, sensual and as smart as the men around them. If this character is too modern, then so is Scarlett O'Hara. The Governess is not a commecial movie. It presumes a knowledge of history that most people simply do not care to have. You have to have some understanding of Jewish life in the early 19th Century. The invention Cavandish is working on has to do with photography. You also have to know that back then, the idea of capturing reality in a picture was a new and startling one. Without such knowledge, the movie will probably be a sleep aid.
Rating: 
Summary: much ado about nothing
Review: a disappointing film that can't quite decide if it wants to be a historical insight into Jews in England or a sort of Jane Eyre. As a governess Mary Blackchurch is a wash out - the only time she looks up from a book is to explore the master's forbidden work room and then to become inexplicably besotted with the man. Their love scenes are useless and he kisses like an old man. The denouement when he comes to find the new Ansel Adams and she rejects him is a total cop out. And what about his son, Henry - what was he in the film for? A complete mish mash of emotions and eras... too bad, she was better in Good Will Hunting.
Rating:
Summary: Sephardic (Spanish Jewess) and her hidden life
Review: A movie of a Sephardic (Jew from Spain) who lives in England. After her father dies she moves away and takes on the false role of Mary Blackchurch so that she may make money to send back to her family. While working as a Governess watching children, she falls in love with their father. A bit of anti-semitism and some sephardic music in the beginning was interesting. A nice film.
Rating: 
Summary: Only for the British
Review: Avoid it like the plauge> You see British films GO OUT OF THEIR WAY to make their films tediously slow and tiresome. It seems, for whatever off reason, that this style of film is found favorable by Vritish viewers. However, for the rest of us, this will literally put you to sleep. The chemistry is NOT eveident between the main characters, and development is sparse.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm afraid I lost interest quickly
Review: Beautiful cinematography, wonderful cast, lush costumes and locations, and a completely soggy script *sigh* I'm a big fan of period pieces, and love Mini Driver, but really, I couldn't sit through this film in its entirety. I ejected the disk about half way through, and went and read a book.
Rating: 
Summary: Posting Customer Reviews is a two-step process. First
Review: Do not display this information with my revie
Rating:
Summary: Few Shining Moments, Many Long, Pointless Stretches
Review: Exploring wonderful literature from our past, such as the recent magnificent Jane Austen revivals and the renewed interest in Shakespeare, has unearthed timeless tales of wonderful force and clarity. Through the faithful adaptations of these masterpieces, we get a glimpse of another lifetime. Unfortunately, force and clarity are two virtues The Governess lacks. An interesting storyline with much potential, Minnie Driver plays a Jewess in late 19th century England who loses her father to murder early in the movie and chooses to flee London to become a nursemaid to a young gentile girl in the country by posing as a Christian herself. An infatuation ensues between the master of the house (Charles Cavendish) and Mary Blackchurch (Driver's assumed gentile identity) leading to a fairly unbelievable affair. We find out that Mr. Cavendish is working on some photographic experimentations, and lo and behold Mary has the answer to most of his problems, both scientifically and emotionally. Good performances by all, but characters as flat and undeveloped as the crude photography they are trying to refine. The film tries so hard to be important, it is neither entertaining nor believable. Perhaps one of its greatest flaws, however, is its incredible lack of pacing. Most great British films keenly understand the fine development of subtlety through attention to detail which requires more time. The Governess is just slow. We see several minutes of pointless interaction which neither develop characters nor move plot and becomes, instead, gratuitous sexual encounters or simply a vehicle to show off set dressing. The cast is capable of more and one comes away with a sense of "this could have been great, or at least good." Instead, it is neither great nor good and has one looking at the clock to see when the counting will stop.
Rating:
Summary: The Governess
Review: Favorite scene-Rosina/Mary gives Mrs. Cavendish the naked picture of Mr. Cavendish, dressed as her true self, a Jewess. Overall-Beautiful picture set in London and beautiful Scotland. Rosina/Mary is a tough cookie who embraces life. She tastes the forbidden and wants more.
Rating:
Summary: Sensual and riveting
Review: First, I would like to comment upon some of the superficial and trite comments linking physical attractiveness to love. Is everyone really so shallow that love can only occur between the very young or the very attractive? Is it not possible to love someone for creativity, intellect or talent? The Governess was an extraordinary, breath taking period piece. Rosina (Mary Blackchurch) becomes interested in her employer's experiments with photography fixation and subsequently falls in love (while pursued by the employer's son). Rosina's first experience with love is tumultuous and passionate. The secrets surrounding her religion helps to add conflict to the already doomed relationship. Rosina's employer, played brilliantly by Tom Wilkinson, shared her passion but was unable to embrace the new emotions awakened within. The reclusive Charles Cavendish, like his castle, was at times dim and hollow. Unsuccessfully, Rosina (Minnie Driver) tries to bring life to an otherwise cold and lifeless environment. Some viewers have wondered why the Rosina character would fall for the father, when the allegedly more attractive son (Henry) was so obviously smitten. Considering the immature and bizarre behavior of Henry Cavendish (played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), should anyone wonder at all? The senior Cavendish despite his shortcomings possessed a mysteriously masculine allure that would charm any young woman looking for both a lover and a father figure. It is also important for viewers to remember that this film is set in Scotland, during the 1800's.... Unfortunately, in this story the viewer will witness that love (alone) is not always enough to sustain a relationship. In the end, Rosina shows a strength and bravery that most modern folk's lack. This film is well done and worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: Minnie Driver is fantastic. Beautiful photography
Review: For such a solemn movie you really appreciate it when Ms. Blackchurch (Minnie Driver) cracks a joke. I laughed when she said the Madame had a lemon up her posterior. The scene where she handed Madame a naked photograph of her husband was so deserved. (woman power)
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