The Painted Veil (2006)

Pretty Good

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Fresh and Exciting

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

"The Painted Veil" is a remake of a Greta Garbo film of the same name and both are based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham...though the 2006 version sticks closer to the original story. The theme is redemption and reminded me in some ways of Joseph Conrad's "Lord Jim".Kitty (Naomi Watts) is rich and spoiled. Her mother is upset that Kitty is now 25 and should have married and settled down long ago...and the family pressures her to marry Dr. Fane (Edward Norton). The marriage is not initially a happy one. Kitty is spoiled and selfish and soon embarks on an affair with Mr. Townsend (Liev Schreiber). The husband finds out and gives her an ultimatum--either divorce him and marry Townsend or accompany him to a rural part of China to help with a Cholera outbreak. Considering Townsend never had any intention of marrying Kitty, her choice is simple and she follows her husband.The marriage is very cold at this point. However, over time you see that it's not just because of Kitty's infidelity but because the Doctor is emotionally constricted and has great difficulty connecting with his wife. Over time, they slowly begin to rebuild trust...and then fate strikes.The film is lovely, as unlike the original, this one was filmed in China. Add to that some terrific direction, lovely music and terrific acting. The only things I should note is that the film is a bit slow and the ending rather depressing...but if you are a person who is willing to give the film time and don't insist on a Hollywood ending, you're in for a treat.

This is one of those movies that should be seen on the big screen because the photography is totally beautiful and much of the movie was shot on location in China (Beijing, Guangxi, and Shanghai) rather than on the MGM back lot of the 1934 version. In size and scope, this new version of W. Somerset Maugham's novel far outshines the 1934 version with Greta Garbo and Herbert Marshall in the leading roles.Also, the characters of Jack Townsend, Waddington, and convent's Mother Superior seem more fully developed. There is enough of a change between story the lines of the 1934 and 2006 movies—particularly at the beginning and the end--that it left me wondering which version was more faithful to Maugham's novel.I have read the novel, but it has been a while.This version starts in London where bacteriologist, Walter Fane (Edward Norton), awkwardly passes through Kitty's home, with Walter and Kitty (Naomi Watts) barely speaking to each other. The two have totally different personalities, lifestyles, and outlooks. In fact, we barely have a clue as to how they EVER got together, except as a marriage arranged by her parents to get her out of the house. This portion of the story is mainly relayed through flashbacks from Kitty's present life in China to her past life in London. While Kitty is flirtatious and bored in China, Walter so socially backward and devoted to his work that the two barely speak to each other, even after their marriage.Kitty's endless ennui is only relieved by an affair with the couples' 'married friend,' Charlie Townsend (Liev Schreiber). When Walter overhears them together, he says nothing about it. When, he is called to go far into the Chinese inland to manage a raging cholera epidemic, he tells his wife to pack their things. When she refuses to go through the hardship with him, he tells her that he will immediately begin divorce proceedings. After being rebuffed by the Townsend's caddishness, she has no place to go and nothing left to do. She must accompany Walter.Once in the remote village, her life is changed by the epidemic, the poverty, the anti-Eurpoean feelings of the Chinese towards them, their fellow Englishman, Waddington (Toby Jones), the orphans and sick in the convent, and the convent's Mother Superior (Diana Rigg). She watches her husband's hopeless battle against poverty, disease, and local resistance from both the civilians and the military that is assigned to protect them. Her attempts to help, in some way, are met with her husband's rebuff and the Mother Superior's counsel. However, the couple's future depends not only her change but on Walter's ability to forgive her and cope with the hostile atmosphere.This movie combines a good story on a grand canvas. The nature of this drama often depends on restrained acting. No where is this more apparent than with Edward Norton's ability to relate his apparent maladroitness together with his sardonic nature in such a laconic fashion. Yet, Norton is able to do this very well.

Watched this last night on Netflix. At first, was annoyed by Naomi Watt's heavy Australian accent bleeding through her British character's, along with Ed Norton's very weak accent.Once they went to China, everything changed. The scenery (filmed in Guilin, Guangxiprovince) is MAGNIFICENT. Interesting to watch the characters go fromloathing one another to a sort of reunion. Definitely worth a watch.Love the scenery, costumes, music, and melancholy lighting. Would haveliked to see more of Waddington.Jeez, I have to add more lines to my review. Most people have the attention span of a goldfish, IMDb! What else is there to say...wish I saw more from the Chinese character's points of view, so they weren't just stereotypes , i.e. Chinese Peasant #1. Would have liked to known more about the experiences of the French nuns--what gives them pleasure? How about seeing the local foods? There was a humorous scene where Dr. Fane meets up with a Chinese warlord--reminded me of the Supreme Leader of North Korea. Good movie, definitely if you can get though the dreary English scenes--where I wish more character development had occurred--you will love it. And Lieve Schreiber makes an excellent DOUCHEBAG character!

Handsomely crafted, with good performances this movie is a gem for romantic drama lovers . characters are complex , environment is beautiful and the music is just amazing ( Alexander Desplat won Golden globe for it ) . the few problems i have with the movie is that it plays a little monotone and the Kitty's character falling in love after all what happened felt a little too easy too simple . characters definitely had potential to show more depth . Love how they handled the love story in the movie , in the beginning Walter falls in love with Kitty but it does not work since she is not in love with him and ends up with affair on the side . during the movie they get to know each other with all their problems , weaknesses and nature and the feelings start to come . the movie shows that you can't truly love someone you don't know . one of my favorite scenes in the movie was when Walter was watching Kitty playing piano and falling in love with her but this time he knows what he loves her for . The Story is happening during a cholera epidemic which makes it story more interesting to watch and gives good side plot to the movie . overall the story is predictable but the result is more than satisfying .