Review of The Painted Veil (2006) by Gemini F — 14 May 2010

The Painted Veil is based on a novel by british author W. Somerset Maugham.The title of the movie,as the book is inspired by a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley which begins "Lift not the painted veil which those who live / Call Life".

The story begins with Kitty(Naomi Watts). A superficial girl which mainly concerns herself with getting married before her sister,and leaving the confines of her home,to release herself from her mothers control. When the intellectual, and doctor Walter Fane(Edward Norton)comes with a passionate marriage proposal, Kitty immediately sees it as her way out,and seizes the opportunity.

They move to Hong Kong,where Walter has his work(he's a bacteriologist).But soon Kitty begin to feel bored by the demands of high society,and lack of excitement of everyday life.She then is charmed by the elegant assistant colonial secretary, Charles Townsend(Liev Schreiber), and starts an affair with him.

Soon Walter finds out what she's been up to, and give Kitty an ultimatum. She must come with him inland, to a Chinese village ravaged by cholera, or he will divorce her,causing a scandal.Kitty then goes to Townsend, who as it turns out has no intention of leaving his wife for her. Betrayed,and lost, she decides that there is no other choice than to follow Walter to the interior of China.

As they arrive she is greeted,and helped to settle in by Waddington(Toby Jones). A man that's got a cynical outlook on life,but still has one good thing in his life;his Chinese mistress which he is deeply in love with.Kitty finds solace in Waddington's company,being equally bitter,but for other reasons of course.Gradually Kitty begins to take small trips to the village to see the work done by her husband and a french nunnery,understanding perhaps for the first time, what a good man he really is.

The question for the couple,is if there's any real feelings between them,any marriage left to save,as their relationship is put to the ultimate test.Risking life and limb in a place filled with death from disease,and the ever present threat posed by Chinese warlords roaming the inland.

The nature shots here are quite simply stunning. As the movie follows the Fane's on their travels on the river, across vast grasslands and through mountainous terrain,the images conveys the majesty of the landscape,its calm beauty,and power.

Plot-wise this is a satisfying epic,challenging the norms of marriage at that time.What elevates the movie beyond that is the acting; giving a more modern edge to the historical proceedings. Edward Norton does a strong portrayal of a sometimes dry and bookish man, other times passionate, who's been betrayed,but still stays true to his principles.Even more impressive is Naomi Watts transformation from a silly,superficial and pretentious girl,to getting a new sense of self,and purpose in life.

Toby Jones provides a dry humor,that brightens the mood of the movie.But he also provides a touching portrait of a British man living "in sin" with his Chinese mistress,who has lost belief in society,but still finds meaning in the small community in which he resides.

The Painted Veil presents its characters with logic and coherence. There's no sudden unexplainable happenings here.Every change in mood and tone,follows a natural rhythm,in this layered experience.