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The Golden Bowl

Play trailer Poster for The Golden Bowl R Released Apr 27, 2001 2h 14m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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54% Tomatometer 87 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 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.
The Golden Bowl

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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)