The Painted Veil | DVD Review

Edward Norton (as producer and actor) and Ron Nyswaner (screenwriter) tackled the adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s The Painted Veil for the better part of a decade. This apparent labor of love has paid off in full: The film version of the book has been made twice before; but this will be the version which impresses itself on memory–its performances, visual aesthetic, pacing and emotional resonance. John Curran has directed a thoroughly moving adaptation of a book which may have come off (in the hands of a less capable director, cast and crew) as stuffy and dated. Instead we are brought into a world of unrequited love, selfish adultery and redemption, set against a Chinese nationalist revolt during a massive cholera epidemic.

Bacteriologist Walter Fane (Norton) marries a wealthy socialite, Kitty (Naomi Watts), who is propelled to take his hand due to the demands of her relatives, who believe she is on the verge of scandal for not having committed to someone sooner. She thoughtlessly enters an affair with Charlie Townsend (Liev Schreiber), who emulates a passionate lover; but obviously has his mind elsewhere–that is, on his own wife and perhaps other women. When Walter discovers the affair he offers an ultimatum: either she be scandalized by him divorcing her on the grounds of adultery; or accompany him to a remote Chinese village infested with cholera, so that he may be of assistance in treating the outbreak.

The two experience extreme danger and death while slowly and painfully reconciling a relationship that they never really had or understood. They learn to love and forgive amidst the most violent of human emotion and experience.

This is a classically styled film, which relies on real storytelling–emotional depth and dimension. The Painted Veil is often horrific, yet beautiful to look at, bringing the audience into a believable world, with realistic people, who make us care–even for the peripheral characters, whose plights are treated with sensitivity.

Nothing much to speak of here, expect for the ubiquitous scene selection and subtitles in English, French and Spanish.

A stunningly beautiful and well-crafted film on all levels–it will haunt the viewer well after it is seen. Though the subject matter is at times depressing, the redemption experienced raises the spirit far beyond any typical formulaic Hollywood fare we are used to.

Movie rating – 3

Disc Rating – 3