The White Countess

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04/20/2021 I was stunned to see that this rather lazy, robotic film was a Merchant Ivory production. One of the things they are usually known for is creating tension and intense emotions with minimal dialogue, while keeping it in period. Some of the problem with dialogue in this film may have been Ralph Fiennes awful attempt at an American accent, as well as Natasha Richardson's surprisingly wooden Russian one (along with her mum, Vanessa and aunt Lynn). It was as if someone decided to recreate Cabaret in Shanghai but missed the most important elements (and I don't even like Cabaret). They DID get the lush production value and period tunes right (though many sounded as if lifted straight from Coppola's The Cotton Club"), but that's about it. It's also just as drawn out as most other critics said. If you want to see a great performance by Richardson, watch her with Liam Neeson and Jodi Foster in "Nell". See more 01/07/2019 1.7.19 dvd @ home w/Sh & J See more 03/21/2016 An example of a novel literally on the screen, this Merchant ivory tale of exile and love is not lacking in ambition but has too many threads to work as a cinematic narrative. The screenwriter's novelistic origins betray themselves, a shame as it does bring down a quality cast and solid period production values. See more 06/06/2015 As a drama it doesn't quite hit the heights of 'Empire of the Sun', despite the obvious similarities in time and location of this period piece, however it's still a worthy story of toil in troubled times. It's acted well enough and like many Merchant Ivory productions there's attention to detail in the period set design throughout. See more 05/27/2015 Set in Shanghai before Japanese invasion during the 1930s. A glimpse of how foreigners live amongst Chinese. See more 05/22/2015 An absorbing tale filmed with the usual Merchant Ivory production values. Ishiguro's plot is scarcely believable, but focuses on individuals with unique backgrounds in a situation which is generally portrayed quite differently. Watched with friends and it was a perfectly acceptable evening's viewing, if not a Wow movie. See more Read all reviews

The White Countess

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