|
The Painted Veil [2007] | ![The Painted Veil [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oHoAuKDvL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: John Curran
Actors: Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schrieber, Diana Rigg, Toby Jones
Studio: Momentum Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: £17.99
Buy New: £5.38
You Save: £12.61 (70%)
New (25) Used (7) from £4.90
Rating:  49 reviews
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 120 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.6
EAN: 5060116721300
ASIN: B000R342RC
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: September 3, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New - Swift dispatch from UK mainland
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews:
 A beautiful classic July 13, 2007
Mrs. LK Beckingham (Rutland, UK)
31 out of 33 found this review helpful
I must echo the previous review here. The Painted Veil is a stunning film - beautifully acted with stunning cinematography and above all a wonderful story, full of period detail, tension, drama and emotion. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts are both fantastic and portray the characters with passionate perfection. They are joined by a small but equally excellent supporting cast.
I always think that the sign of a good film or book is when you wonder about the characters at the end of the story or think of how events might have turned out differently for them. I just loved this film and would highly recommend it to those who enjoy a thinking person's love story.
 The Painted Veil is a virtuoso of what a period piece should be October 26, 2007
Jenny J.J.I. (That Lives in Northern Nevada)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
Unfortunately I Never read the novel but I found the movie to be impressive. THE PAINTED VEIL tells the story of Kitty Fane (Naomi Watts) trapped in a loveless marriage to biologist husband Walter (Edward Norton.) When she has an affair with English Vice Consul Charlie Townsend (Live Shreiber), Walter takes Kitty into the cholera-ridden areas of central China in the hope of curing both the peasants and his marriage.
The journey of China becomes a metaphor for the pair's deep retreat within themselves. Their relationship has become a cultivated division; the best they manage to muster toward each other is a courteous contempt. Yet the grim discipline demanded of them by the epidemic, and the daily reminder of life's brevity, forces Kitty and Walter to reflect upon their actions. And so the story becomes for them one of discovering their capacity for forgiveness and love. Death, however, stalks close by.
Director Curran manages to coax fine performances from his cast. Watts' Kitty expertly makes the transition from playfulness to gravitas. The sadness in Naomi Watts eyes as she stares upon the cholera stricken children is one of the most memorable scenes. She is one amazing actress and can really express what she feels not only with her dialogue, but with her gestures and facial expressions. Plus continues to be one of the best actors working in Hollywood. Norton's performance is no less masterful. His shy, soulful Walter becomes a wound's scab -- a man so sunk in melancholy and self-loathing as to become dead to himself. Norton's Walter never veers toward self-pity, but manfully "gets on" with things, though with the saddest imaginable eyes. There is excellent support from Schreiber as the slick Townsend, Diana Rigg as a nun toiling amid the cholera outbreak, and Toby Jones as Waddington, a British agent who becomes the Fanes' protector. Curran cleverly condenses passages from the novel into simple shots. An entire scene in which Kitty churlishly mocks the homely sacred art of the plague city's convent is quickly captured by a close-up of a rudely carved Madonna figure with a childishly painted face, which tells us all we need to know about the humble nuns' lives versus the world-weary Kitty's. After the speedy initial set up of the film, its lazy pace may put some people off, but this is a beautifully shot and performed film that is well deserving of your time.
A classic September 5, 2007
Antyllus (London, UK)
23 out of 25 found this review helpful
W Somerset Maugham who trained as a medical doctor before turning entirely to writing must have picked up the gist of the story from acquaintances. It leads us into the murky world of declining colonialism in China, in a tale of love, betrayal, atonement and ultimately personal redemption.
Naomi Watts adds the necessary reckless streak of the bored London flapper who, to escape her parents, marries the rather stiff scientist played by Norton, and then carries it on with someone else in Shanghai (Liev Schreiber).
Sumptuous landscapes introduce the film, long initial scenes sweeping over the luscious Chinese countryside and meals eaten in silence are the painted veil that finally lifts to show the true passion and love between Kitty and Walter.
It is some of Norton's best acting, and the movie benefits from a good script, and excellent actors giving their best, if at times understated. For once the music too is not overly intrusive - overall a very fine balance in a delicately acted film makes this very worthwhile watching; again and again.
BREATHTAKING, MOVING September 9, 2007
Chatter box (England)
23 out of 25 found this review helpful
This movie has some breathtaking scenes and moves along at a pace which captures the story beautifully. The story is probably typical of the position that women found themselves in during the 1920's when they married for all the wrong reasons. However, this film has an unusual twist, shown by the way in which the husband handles the situation when he finds out his wife has been having an affair. Revenge turns to love and this transformation and eventual chemistry between the two characters is again captured beautifully. Well worth a watch and you will be totally lost and captivated by the story and backdrops of the film location.
A gem of a movie! August 13, 2007
Christine (Manila, Philippines)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
I have watched this hauntingly beautiful movie three times already. It is a wonderful adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's book about a proper British doctor(Walter Fane, played by Edward Norton) and his socialite wife (played by Naomi Watts.) The setting is in Shanghai prior to the communist takeover of China. It is a story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. Kitty Fane marries a rather dull Walter and promptly betrays him in adulterous affair with a brash and confident British consular officer played by Liev Schreiber. Walter finds out and whisks Kitty to a small village ravaged by cholera. While she does not agree at first to go with him, he leaves her no choice and so she reluctantly joins him. Kitty finds out that the man she betrayed her husband for had a record of extramarital affairs and quickly realizes how foolish she was to have fallen for him. On the other hand, as she witnesses her husband's devotion to his work, how he works relentlessly to save as many cholera victims from succumbing to the disease, she begins to see how shallow she had been and falls in love with the Walter she failed to see when she first married him. Walter on the other hand sees how Kitty has evolved from a silly, and shallow person and how she learns to give of herself to Chinese orphans makes him fall for her all over again. This is such a lovely film which chronicles the process of forgiveness and emotional healing...and although the pace of the movie is slow, it will hold your attention all the way to the end of the story. Wonderful acting by both protagonists--Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. Great cinematography as well...wish they made more movies like this! Don't miss this one!
|
|
|
|
Copyright Thalasar Ventures | |
![The Painted Veil [2007]](http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/navbar/eBayLogoTM.gif)