I should begin by saying that I won't be alluding to Oscar Wilde here. I'm not that familiar with his work, so I'm not qualified to judge the film on that basis. So this will just be about the stand-alone film.
I rather enjoyed this film, despite was I saw as some flaws. But let's begin with what I did like. First, often when I see a film that takes place in the 1930s, I don't feel like it's an accurate representation of the 1930s. This time, however, I felt as if I were in that time period. The setting were lush, but realistic. The cinematography was lush. Tom Wilkinson has become my standard to superb acting, and any with him, including this one, benefits from his presence. I also enjoyed the story.
So what were the flaws. Well, at times it was a little slow. I've always thought that Helen Hunt was a very good actress, but I found her a little less than convincing here, particularly in the climactic scene near the end of the film. Scarlett Johansson, only 20 when this film was made...well, as the young wife, seemed a bit awkward. I was a bit surprised that she had appeared in about 15 films before this one, although many were in smaller parts as a youngster. For one thing, I wish she didn't leave her mouth open when not talking. But, even then, she was intriguing. On the verge of becoming a fine actress.
This film barely squeaked by for me with a "7", but overall I did like it. I just thought it could have been better.
I rather enjoyed this film, despite was I saw as some flaws. But let's begin with what I did like. First, often when I see a film that takes place in the 1930s, I don't feel like it's an accurate representation of the 1930s. This time, however, I felt as if I were in that time period. The setting were lush, but realistic. The cinematography was lush. Tom Wilkinson has become my standard to superb acting, and any with him, including this one, benefits from his presence. I also enjoyed the story.
So what were the flaws. Well, at times it was a little slow. I've always thought that Helen Hunt was a very good actress, but I found her a little less than convincing here, particularly in the climactic scene near the end of the film. Scarlett Johansson, only 20 when this film was made...well, as the young wife, seemed a bit awkward. I was a bit surprised that she had appeared in about 15 films before this one, although many were in smaller parts as a youngster. For one thing, I wish she didn't leave her mouth open when not talking. But, even then, she was intriguing. On the verge of becoming a fine actress.
This film barely squeaked by for me with a "7", but overall I did like it. I just thought it could have been better.