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The Golden Bowl

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The Golden Bowl

R

Released Apr 27, 2001

2h 14m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

54%

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87 Reviews

39%

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2,500+ Ratings

An intricately plotted tale of thwarted love and betrayal, "The Golden Bowl" tells the story of an extravagantly rich American widower (Nick Nolte) and his sheltered daughter (Kate Beckinsale), both of whom marry only to discover that their respective mates, a beautiful American expatriate (Uma Thurman) and an impoverished Italian aristocrat (Jeremy Northam), are entangled with one another in a romantic intrigue of seduction and deceit.

Critics Consensus

Coming from the Merchant-Ivory team, The Golden Bowl is visually stunning, but the filmmakers have difficulty in transporting the characterizations of the Henry James novel to the screen.

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Brandon Judell

IndieWire

'Golden Bowl' Cracked: Merchant/Ivory's Misstep with Henry James

Aug 8, 2017

Full Review

Marrit Ingman

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Mar 10, 2003

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

Premiere Magazine

One of James's juiciest scenarios, but barely anybody involved in this enterprise seems to have caught its groove.

Sep 4, 2001

Full Review

Jan Stuart

The Advocate

Screenwriter Jhabvala grabs us by the collar with a cloak-and-dagger prologue that ratchets up the stakes throughout the genteel dance of adultery and denial that follows.

May 3, 2022

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Harry Guerin

RTÉ (Ireland)

Despite a denouement which arrives half an hour too late, the complexities of James' work are superbly realised.

Rated: 3/5

May 8, 2003

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Steve D

Good cast, lame melodrama. Terrible resolution.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A lavish interpretation of the novel by Henry James. Admittedly I have not read the source material to which I assume the film has been allegiant in it's rendition. Elaborate Edwardian costumes and sets make this movie an exquisite visual spectacle. The narrative is built around an intricate web of desire and circumstances. Action oriented viewers may be disappointed as the majority of the movie's excitement comes from actor subtleties like a furtive glance or an averted gaze which contrast wonderfully with the expressive renaissance art pieces featured and the more overt symbolism of the hidden crack in the golden bowl. What some might perceive as starchy acting by the cast is perhaps intended to reflect the mannerisms and customs of the early 1900's, building an almost stifling tension between the actors as they become more and more deeply entangled in the love and lies between them. The adulterous nature of the story builds intrigue throughout the plot but its resolution feels anti-climactic and disappointing. While Merchant Ivory Productions presents a gilded visual spectacle I can't help but remark at the irony of the hidden flaw in its glittering presentation of the actors which makes it difficult to empathize with any of the characters whatsoever.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Yes I am a Merchant-Ivory type. I loved this movies as well!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

What a bore! Despite the amazing cast...only Uma Thurman salvages anything positive out of it, and it's not much.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Another Merchant / Ivory Classic with the Midas touch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

Back in the day they cut off your head for cheating. Hmm, deep.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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James Ivory

Director

Uma Thurman

Charlotte Stant

Jeremy Northam

Prince Amerigo

Kate Beckinsale

Maggie Verver

Nick Nolte

Adam Verver

Anjelica Huston

Fanny Assingham

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Synopsis

An intricately plotted tale of thwarted love and betrayal, "The Golden Bowl" tells the story of an extravagantly rich American widower (Nick Nolte) and his sheltered daughter (Kate Beckinsale), both of whom marry only to discover that their respective mates, a beautiful American expatriate (Uma Thurman) and an impoverished Italian aristocrat (Jeremy Northam), are entangled with one another in a romantic intrigue of seduction and deceit.

Director: James Ivory
Producer: Ismail Merchant
Screenwriter: Henry James, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Merchant Ivory Productions
Rating: R (Sex Scene)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 27, 2001, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Nov 6, 2001
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.0M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)