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The Governess [1998]


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Big Skye Country Matters...?
Review date: 2007-10-19 Rating: 6 out of 10

This film is based around the premise that a once-wealthy Jewish girl in 19th Century London, whose father has been killed, can pass herself off as a half-Italian non-Catholic in what appears to be an English household on the Scottish island of Skye. It works up to a point but to my mind was rather slight. The affair between the girl, now The Governess and her employer, a photographic pioneer, is well done, I thought, though the anorexically thin son of the same is not exactly pleasant to look at, especially in the near nude on the beach. He is in love with the governess, whereas the father is more in lust with her.

One flaw in the film is that (perhaps inevitably, directed as this was by someone called Goldbacher) the Jews in the story are all (bar a couple of old crones who want to marry the girl to a fishmonger)warm, intelligent, pleasant...whereas the non-Jews are boring, plaintive, dishonest...you get the picture. Even the photographic breakthrough is not made by the householder in Skye, but by the governess...and then the man takes the credit for it and cuts dead the governess. In the end the former governess becomes a famous photographer and the film peters out.

Overall, worth seeing once.

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Reviews


Brilliant!
Review date: 2007-05-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

I'd never heard of this film when it suddenly appeared on TV last night. I thought it was brilliant! I checked out the director and writer online, Sandra Goldbacher, to try to send her some good feedback, but it seems she's not contactable, unfortunately. I thought the plot and the writing were excellent, as was all the acting. For me, all the characters were well developed and believable - in contrast to what has been said in some of the more critical reviews on this site. In fact, the acting and directing are exceptional in their conviction. There's too much disappointing and non-believable cinematic "passion" around, but this drama was engrossing from the start. It's an unusual story that one suspects is partly based on truth. It took me totally by surprise as I was ignorant of the film. I reckon it didn't get the exposure it truly deserves at the time it was released. Sandra Goldbacher was only 38 when this was made - an astonishing accomplishment! The performances of the actors will remain memorable for me in their subtlety and skill. A knock-out!

Odd mixture of good, and not-so-good
Review date: 2007-03-02 Rating: 6 out of 10

This is an odd film with a lot of nice things going for it, but equally so, much to be said against it...

The basic plot, without disclosing too many spoilers, is that of a Jewish girl whose father is murdered, thus making it necessary for her to pretend to be a Christian governess, in order to earn money for her family. While employed, she begins to have a special relationship with the father of the little girl she is governess to, and in the meantime, the son of the house begins to fall in love with her also.

Minnie Driver seems rather too much 21st (or 20th, since it was made in 1998) century for a Jewish girl circa 1845, but on occasion, such as when she's discovering the joy of artistic creation, this quality works in her favor. And I love the scene where she takes her revenge against her employer's family, which I can't detail for fear of writing a spoiler, but it's priceless.

Her devastation by and eventual recovery from her love affair are well portrayed. It's just at moments that the 21st-century gloss comes through and spoils her performance a bit.

Tom Wilkinson is absolutely wonderful as the repressed Victorian paterfamilias. This is a fully realized performance. It's amazing how he was able to convey so many varied emotions during his scenes with Minnie Driver. Sometimes it's just in his eyes. Really amazing. The actress who plays his unsympathetic wife doesn't have too many scenes, but she's also spot-on. The child actress who played the daughter is also very good. I probably felt more sorry for her than for anyone else in the film -she was rather neglected by everyone, including the governess.

Jonathan Rhys-Myers as the son who falls in love with the governess was an interesting casting choice. His fey looks didn't really fit the part (Minnie Driver often seems more masculine than he does, sadly), and we don't really get a sense of why he's so enchanted by this woman, and why he's so devastated afterwards. I think the fault is that his role was underwritten. He gives a good performance, not a great one but intriguing at times, and again I think is because his part is underwritten, not really due to any fault of his. He does all he can with what he's got to work with.

Bottom line is that it's an interesting movie; good, not great but very interesting at times, yet probably not even one I'm wanting to see again.


Disappointing for Minni Driver
Review date: 2005-09-26 Rating: 4 out of 10

Having read the reviews I had high hopes for this film and am a great fan of period drama. I was sadly disappointed with this effort. I felt that Minni Driver's acting was good on the whole but found absolutely no chemistry between her and the leading man, in fact it felt almost like watching someone being forced to kiss their Dad or Uncle. I didn't feel this fit with the storyline because she was supposed to be in love/lust with him so I found the 'love scenes' rather uncomfortable to watch!
That said, the costumes and scenery where all very nice.

Photography at its begining
Review date: 2005-08-31 Rating: 6 out of 10

The Governess is a very Different film.
I'm interested in photography so i automatically enjoyed the film.
The main Character Demi Moore, plays a Jewish Heiress who's father dies.
She is forced to get a job to support the family and becomes a Christian governess out in the scottish countryside.
She soon falls in love with her employer and helps him further his photography career.
The film is very erotic in an artistic way and Demi Moore demonstrates the beauty in the dark and misrable world around her

A good watch if you havesome time on your hands

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Tom Wilkinson
Florence Hoath
Minnie Driver
Harriet Walter
Bruce Myers

Creators:
Minnie Driver (Primary Contributor)
Tom Wilkinson (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Momentum Pictures
Manufacturer: Momentum Pictures
EAN: 5060021171399
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-02-26
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998-07-31
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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