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The Golden Bowl

Play trailer Poster for The Golden Bowl R 2001 2h 14m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 86 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

What to Know

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 Aug 8, 2017
'Golden Bowl' Cracked: Merchant/Ivory's Misstep with Henry James Go to Full Review Glenn Kenny Premiere Magazine Sep 4, 2001
One of James's juiciest scenarios, but barely anybody involved in this enterprise seems to have caught its groove. Go to Full Review Rita Kempley Washington Post Jun 11, 2001
2/5
It suffers mightily from its deliberate pacing, pale characterizations, obvious plot and some woeful miscasting. Go to Full Review Jan Stuart The Advocate May 3, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Film Threat Dec 6, 2005
3/5
Harry Guerin RTÉ (Ireland) May 8, 2003
3/5
Despite a denouement which arrives half an hour too late, the complexities of James' work are superbly realised. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jon E. @jes30 Mar 20, 2026 Underappreciated. Suffering a bit as a product of its time — the early 2000s — but nonetheless manages a certain inscrutable charm and eccentricity in its execution. I mean come on, do we really think one of Henry James’ most complex masterpieces as recreated by James Ivory isn’t going to have something good in it to offer? NYT also gave it a positive review upon release. See more Steve D @RT35616104 Feb 6, 2023 Good cast, lame melodrama. Terrible resolution. See more Feb 23, 2019 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. See more Feb 19, 2013 Yes I am a Merchant-Ivory type. I loved this movies as well! See more Feb 19, 2013 What a bore! Despite the amazing cast...only Uma Thurman salvages anything positive out of it, and it's not much. See more Dec 3, 2012 Another Merchant / Ivory Classic with the Midas touch. See more Read all reviews
The Golden Bowl

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Golden Bowl

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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)
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