My Cousin Rachel - Review
Director: Roger Michell
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen
Adapted from Daphne du Maurier's 1957 novel of the same name, My Cousin Rachel is a mystery romance laced with intrigue but Michell's iteration of the classic text injects a healthy (or potentially lethal) dose of gothic sensibility.
After trailing to Italy, young Englishman Philip (Sam Claflin) discovers that his dear cousin Ambrose has died. He swears revenge on Ambrose's widow Rachel (Rachel Weisz), blaming her for his cousin's demise. However, when Philip meets Rachel, he is quickly entranced by her and he is soon hopelessly in love - but is Rachel harbouring deceit?
The success of My Cousin Rachel largely depends upon the effectiveness of the portrayal of the eponymous character and Weisz's performance is utterly compelling and carefully controlled. She is charming and wonderfully charismatic who enchants everyone she encounters. But for a woman of her time, she's fiercely independent and rejects the idea of being tethered or accountable to anyone. The dichotomies within her character are fascinating and Weisz's expressions never betray the film's mystery as the audience tussle with concluding whether or not Rachel is guilty of what we suspect she has done or is merely non-conformance to societal expectations.
Unlike Rachel, Claflin's Philip is remarkably transparent and a complete open book. Philip says what he feels and barks his demands, knowing that they will be met and Claflin plays him with a perfect boyish petulance. Upon learning that Rachel is to travel to Cornwall to visit him, Philip loudly and frequently disparages her to anyone who will listen, convinced that she is responsible for his beloved cousin Ambrose's death. Once he lays eyes on her, his aggressive resolve disappears and he is immediately bewitched by her charm and beauty. Although their attraction is initially mutual, as Philip's behaviour becomes more intensive, Rachel starts to become more detached once she's seemingly rinsed Philip for all of his worth.
There is a sameness and familiarity to all period dramas, and My Cousin Rachel is no exception but the uncertain moral compass of Rachel ensures that the picture remains fresh. There is no definite evidence of Rachel's guilt and any inclination of ill-intentions is speculative, but as the film develops, audiences will most likely form a strong and impassioned opinion.
du Maurier's lovely never disclosed whether Rachel was a saint or a sinner and Michell's adaptation is left as equally open ended. My Cousin Rachel is a film that'll leave cinema-goers debating and discussing the outcome amongst themselves; even though their interpretations may differ, there will be no disputing that My Cousin Rachel is an engaging and entertaining picture.
EB
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen
Adapted from Daphne du Maurier's 1957 novel of the same name, My Cousin Rachel is a mystery romance laced with intrigue but Michell's iteration of the classic text injects a healthy (or potentially lethal) dose of gothic sensibility.After trailing to Italy, young Englishman Philip (Sam Claflin) discovers that his dear cousin Ambrose has died. He swears revenge on Ambrose's widow Rachel (Rachel Weisz), blaming her for his cousin's demise. However, when Philip meets Rachel, he is quickly entranced by her and he is soon hopelessly in love - but is Rachel harbouring deceit?
The success of My Cousin Rachel largely depends upon the effectiveness of the portrayal of the eponymous character and Weisz's performance is utterly compelling and carefully controlled. She is charming and wonderfully charismatic who enchants everyone she encounters. But for a woman of her time, she's fiercely independent and rejects the idea of being tethered or accountable to anyone. The dichotomies within her character are fascinating and Weisz's expressions never betray the film's mystery as the audience tussle with concluding whether or not Rachel is guilty of what we suspect she has done or is merely non-conformance to societal expectations.
Unlike Rachel, Claflin's Philip is remarkably transparent and a complete open book. Philip says what he feels and barks his demands, knowing that they will be met and Claflin plays him with a perfect boyish petulance. Upon learning that Rachel is to travel to Cornwall to visit him, Philip loudly and frequently disparages her to anyone who will listen, convinced that she is responsible for his beloved cousin Ambrose's death. Once he lays eyes on her, his aggressive resolve disappears and he is immediately bewitched by her charm and beauty. Although their attraction is initially mutual, as Philip's behaviour becomes more intensive, Rachel starts to become more detached once she's seemingly rinsed Philip for all of his worth.
There is a sameness and familiarity to all period dramas, and My Cousin Rachel is no exception but the uncertain moral compass of Rachel ensures that the picture remains fresh. There is no definite evidence of Rachel's guilt and any inclination of ill-intentions is speculative, but as the film develops, audiences will most likely form a strong and impassioned opinion.
du Maurier's lovely never disclosed whether Rachel was a saint or a sinner and Michell's adaptation is left as equally open ended. My Cousin Rachel is a film that'll leave cinema-goers debating and discussing the outcome amongst themselves; even though their interpretations may differ, there will be no disputing that My Cousin Rachel is an engaging and entertaining picture.
EB
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