Review of The Wings of the Dove (1997) by Greg S — 23 Mar 2009

A couple which are kept apart by their disparate social status, seek financial independence as a way of enabling them to be together. The woman (played by Helena Bonham Carter) comes from a wealthy family which promises to disinherit her should she choose to takeup with Linus Roache's character.

Unable to leave the trappings of her priveledged upbringing behind, she concocts a scheme to inherit the vast wealth of an American woman that they meet in Venice. In order to do this her lover, Roache, must seduce this woman and marry her, since the woman is a romantic at heart and only has a limited time left to live.

Unfortunately, he finds that in order to be convincing, he must truly fall in love in her. It is never clear whether their burgeoning love is the result of cunning deception or true love born of the desire to make the most of the time that they have left.

As the American womans death nears, Bonham Carters character struggles to hold onto her love as Roache, although still in love win Bonham Carter, begins to slip away from her as he begins to appreciate the enormity of what they are doing and the disparity in the character of the two women he loves.

In the end, although Roache and Bonham Carter maintain their attachement, the deception sullys their relationship in a way that cannot be repaired despite the fact that the American woman becomes aware of their scheme and agrees to will the money to Roache anyway.

In fact the American woman finds gratitude in her heart, since Roache was able to give her the love of her life, which she had never had. However, part of Roache will die with the American woman and Bonham Carter finds that the love between her and Roache has been changed forever as she has struggled to simultaneously hold onto her lover and also gain the fortune of the American woman.