Log in / Sign up
 
    Share this page

    The Invisible Woman

    Reviewed by
    pietroantoni@

    Ralph Fiennes as both director and actor (Charles Dickens) of THE INVISIBLE WOMAN does quite the fine job of bringing to life a part of Dickens's life which very few know about... his relationship with a much younger woman, his own marriage being quite the disaster despite the fruitful multiplication of many children. As you will note from the title of the film, the emphasis is in large part placed on Nelly, the woman with whom the older Charles falls madly in love. Such affairs were of course frowned upon in those days so the lady love of Dickens's older years literally had to become an INVISIBLE WOMAN. This gives away nothing of the plot as we understand all this as the film begins. It is then we go back in time to understand how it all came about. Felicity Jones who plays Nelly is extraordinary playing both the 18 year old Nelly and the Nelly in her late 30's, left haunted by her past after the death of Charles Dickens. The film also stars Kristin Scott Thomas as Nelly's mother. Fiennes as Dickens is physically amazing as he is made up to so resemble the great novelist. He also captures the Dickens spirit entirely. The film is very lush and beautiful in the many Victorian settings in which it is filmed. Interestingly the only built set is that of a train wreck. All the conventions of the times are adhered to faithfully. One could not ask for a more precise England of the Charles Dickens era... That, however, poses a bit of a problem for modern audiences who get to see daily life and hear conversations as they were meant for the Victorian era. Action seems to disappear very deliberately as the film must have a slow pace as dictated by the subject matter and the times. So the premise of the film is a truly great one, one which illuminates us about perhaps the greatest novelist in the English language... yet the film itself is not that exciting as it rigidly becomes a stickler for those convention-riddled years of Charles Dickens and Nelly, the woman he loved. The film literally moves at a snail's pace and for this reason I can only give the film a 6. The premise is great, the acting is wonderful, but we seem to be stuck in neutral. A very difficult film to review... difficult to give it its proper due.

    6
    HelpfulNot helpful  Reply
    pietroantoni@  31.10.2014 age: 36-49 14,540 reviews

    Show all reviews for this movie
    Note: The movie review posted on this page reflects a personal opinion of one user. We are not responsible for its content.

    Did you see ''The Invisible Woman''?

    There is a problem with your e-mail address and we are unable to communicate with you. Please go to My Account to update your email.

    How do you rate this movie?

    Select stars from 1 to 10.
    10 - A masterpiece, go, see it now
    9 - Excellent movie, a must see
    8 - Great movie, don't miss it
    7 - Good movie, worth seeing
    6 - Not bad, could be much better
    5 - So so, okay if you don't pay
    4 - Not good, even if you don't pay
    3 - Poor movie, not recommended
    2 - Very bad, forget about it
    1 - Worst ever, avoid at all costs

    Please explain. Write your comment here:

    Please choose a username to sign your comments. Only letters, digits, dash - or period. Minimum 4 characters.

    Your age and sex:

    We publish all comments, except abusive, at our discretion.