Saturday, September 08, 2007

The Painted Veil

I really like watching movies. Not a crazy looney having collectables and stuff. Just appreciate good ones. And yes, I do own a reasonable descent collection of good films.

One of the many which has positively intrigues me is The Painted Veil, released in 2006. I’m not much of a fan of romantic movies but, this was an exception. Really fell in love with the mesmerising, elegant beauty of China.

The Painted Veil is based on the novel by Somerset Maugham, set during the most dramatic periods of unrest. It unfurls the love story of a couple at odds, who find solace and liberation in the most challenging circumstances

The story is set sometime during the 1920s. Kitty (Naomi Watts) is an upper class, popular socialite, closing in on marriageable age. Remaining unmarried beyond the marriageable age was considered a blasphemy during those times.

Dr. Walter Fane (Edward Norton), a quiet, young, intelligent, shy and somewhat dull Bacteriologist, meets Kitty at a party. She accepts Walter’s proposal for all the wrong reasons.

They move to Shanghai where Kitty befriends Charlie, a diplomat and eventually falls in love with him. Walter discover's Kitty's infidelity one day. Kitty asks for a divorce, but Walter refuses it. Charlie too does not want to take the affiliation any further. When she realizes that Charlie was ‘just having fun’, she is crestfallen.

Deeply hurt by his wife’s betrayal, in an act of vengeance, Walter accepts a job in a remote war – torn interior village in China hit by a deadly cholera epidemic, and takes Kitty along, endangering both their lives.

This cold, indifferent and loveless relationship amidst an unknown and fatal environment tests their power of endurance. Their journey brings meaning to their bond and they embark on a journey towards self discovery. Kitty is forced to confront the reality of the situation. The wrenched disease gives both a reason to survive. Forgiveness and understanding acts as a balm to the severed relationship.

The movie has many layers to it, love, colonialism, transition…Kitty’s adultery may be considered as an important twist as it opens doors to a new kind of relationship with her husband. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts excel in their parts and make the characters absolutely endearing. The movie has some light moments which are really enjoyable.

I absolutely love the closing lines of the movie.

2 comments:

Sumithra said...

Hmm.. I've not seen this movie yet. Will look for it.

And hey, your stitch looks great!! And I saw the enlarged version!! May you do many more pretty stitches! :D

cure for ennui said...

ye sure do...thank you...for an encouraging comment about my stitches :)