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Angels And Insects
1995
This is a sumptuous and erotic drama where the insect world becomes a metaphor for the depravity and decadence of the upper class in this visually enticing period piece. Set at the height of British colonialism William, a penniless entomologist, falls in love with the eldest daughter of Sir Alabaster, an aristocrat who has .. Read more
| Starring | Patsy Kensit, Douglas Henshall, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas |
|---|---|
| Director | Philip Haas |
| Genres | Drama |
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Angels And Insects
This is a sumptuous and erotic drama where the insect world becomes a metaphor for the depravity and decadence of the upper class in this visually enticing period piece. Set at the height of British colonialism William, a penniless entomologist, falls in love with the eldest daughter of Sir Alabaster, an aristocrat who has offered the young man a position as his assistant. In spite of William's low social status and lack of funds, he and Eugenia are eventually married, and several children are born. One day, William discovers that his wife has a shocking secret, and his life will never be the same.
Kristen Scott Thomas received the Best Actress accolade at the Evening Standard British Film Awards, and the film garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.
| Starring | Patsy Kensit, Douglas Henshall, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Kemp, Anna Massey, Saskia Wickham |
|---|---|
| Director | Philip Haas |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 53 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 22 Sep 2003 Production year: 1995 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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The British film industry is justly proud of its reputation for meticulously crafted costume dramas. However, the slightest misjudgement can result in disaster, as in the case of this precious adaptation of AS Byatt's novella Morpho Eugenia. Although director Philip Haas and his co-writer Belinda Haas have got some pretty tricky ideas to convey (such as Darwinism and the notion that humans are little more than specimens in a celestial laboratory), they do so in such a pompous manner that the already stilted performances of Mark Rylance and Patsy Kensit increasingly border on the comic. Only Kristin Scott Thomas, playing against type as a mousey governess, emerges with any credit.
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"...ANGELS is an intriguing film with a great deal to recommend it....ANGELS is physically remarkable and well-acted, especially by the always impressive Kristin Scott Thomas..."
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Most helpful member's review
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Bring on the Ants!!!
Okay, prepare to be in for a long wait. This film only gets interesting about 1 hour in - when the main character (Mark Rylance) begins to study a city of ants in the grounds of the large family estate that he has been allowed to marry into. The ants are animated which is more than can be said for Rylance. If ever there was an advert for how not to do period drama then this is it - slow, monotonous and draaaaaaaawn out!
Douglas Henshall adds a bit of spice as the protective elder brother of Rylance's new wife (Kensit), but then he has his reasons. However, the one saving grace is Kristin Scott Thomas as the governess - her effortless acting hooks your attention and thankfully allows you to forget about her dreary co-stars for the screentime that she has.
But the real stars are the ants and as we move into micro-documentary footage of their daily lives and battles you actually find characters that you care about, that you can identify with.....and surely cheaper to employ than Rylance who needs nothing more than a good slap round the face to snap him out of his dull, dull, dull delivery. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Angels and Insects
A visually stunning film with mysterious goings on including incest between brother and sister tother and and also epitomises the class war in that period
Mark Rylance,s voice is a bit monotononous but you get to see a LOT of Patsy Kensit which was good and overall i enjoyed the film -
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This is a sumptuous and erotic drama where the insect world becomes a metaphor for the depravity and decadence of the upper class in this visually enticing period piece. Set at the height of British ... -