Orphaned as a child, Philip (Claflin) has been raised by his cousin Ambrose Ashley and is heir to his substantial but dilapidated estate. Ambrose has health issues that require him to move to warmer climates during the cold English winters and during the year he winters in Italy, he meets and marries Rachel (Weisz).
Ambrose and Philip correspond regularly and Philip begins to note that his cousin’s letters change in tone as he complains of being unwell and finally, that he does not trust Rachel. Very worried, Philip travels to Italy to find his cousin dead and Rachel gone. Philip also discovers there is no provision for Rachel in Ambrose’s will.
Within weeks of returning to England, Philip receives word that Rachel has arrived and, hell bent on exacting revenge on the woman he suspects killed his beloved cousin, Philip invites her to stay. What he does not expect is to fall under the spell of his beguiling cousin Rachel.
So we have the windswept English country estate complete with dilapidated mansion. The orphaned cousin who stands to inherit the lot. The dark, mysterious, beautiful widow who wafts around looking gorgeous in black lace and casts the odd knowing glance at the handsome young man while offering him her special brews of tea.
Throw in the politely jealous best friend/neighbour/girl he should marry Louise (Grainger) and her well-meaning but my-hands-are-tied lawyer father Nick (Glen) and we have all the elements of a broody, dark Gothic thriller.
Weisz is wonderfully engaging as the did-she-or-didn’t-she widow. The occasional lapse in etiquette or being lost in her thoughts can be attributed to her recent widowhood…. or is there something more sinister afoot?
The story reveals itself slowly, the images on screen sometimes at odds with the information revealed, the sense of dread mounting then easing then presenting again with a different hue.
It’s a wonderful tale and this new screen adaptation lives up to and exceeds all expectations, if you are so inclined to enjoy broody, Gothic thrillers. Which I most certainly do.
Come awards season, you will be glad you saw this Weisz in this movie.
4 stars
Director : Roger Michell
Starring : Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen, Poppy Lee Friar, Andrew Knott, Pierfrancesco Favino
Running Time : 106 minutes
Release Date : In Cinemas Now
