The Painted Veil Details

Behind the Veil

As the starting credits roll and I see that not only are Naomi Watts and Edward Norton starring in this movie, they also produced it. My heart sinks as several previous examples of vanity projects flit through my mind. Thankfully I most pleasantly surprised. The Painted Veil is a long, cool drink of water. If you will forgive me labouring the metaphor: though indeed long and cool, like such a drink, it is also refreshing. Reminiscent of films not often made anymore, such as Out of Africa, this is a cinematically beautiful, poignant tale of love, betrayal and the consequences of both. Although I would agree there is a distantness both in performance and presentation, this is just as it ought to be and reflects the quiet intensity of our leads’ struggle and the repressive social conformity of the period aptly. It is a cast of quite unsympathetic characters and it is a tribute to Ron Nyswaner that they have not been “prettied up” by Hollywood and are allowed to retain their flaws. In fact the only real mark of the Hollywood powers-that-be is an increase in the sex and passion quota quite out of keeping with the book (yet secretly quite satisfying). The casting is excellent. Edward Norton excels as the hopelessly repressed yet passionate doctor; although making up with intensity what he lacks in dark brooding power. The sheer brilliance of the supporting cast and the beauty of China are what lift this tale out of the dryness such an internalised tale of conflict threatens. Director John Curran has definitely proven himself one to watch and it is nice to know that there is always an exception to the rule…even when it comes to vanity projects.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Beautifully filmed, but overlong...

The Chinese scenery filmed in this was absolutely astonishingly beautiful, as was the filming itself, the only problem for us was, the plot and length got in the way.

You are taken on a long journey before you really feel you have got anywhere (the archetypal slow boat to China comes to mind),.

It is one to rent if you are into beautifully filmed lengthy epics, if you are looking for excitement and action, this should not, I'm afraid, even make it onto your list.