The Painted Veil

The Painted Veil, a period piece set in 1920’s China, could easily be described as an epic production. At the same time, however, it turns out to be one of the most intimate character studies of the year. Based on W. Somerset Maughm’s novel, it tells the story of Kitty Fane (Naomi Watts), a shallow beauty who was born into a wealthy family and spoiled for the better part of her life. At a party, she meets the rather uninteresting Walter (Edward Norton), a bacteriologist who is stationed in the far east of China. They meet on subsequent occasions and, to her surprise, he proposes. She doesn’t love him, of course, but feels pressured to accept because of her age and the opinions of her parents. Once in China, she begins a love affair with a charismatic Englishman named Charlie (Liev Schreiber) and has delusions about running off with him, away from her boring husband. It is not long before Walter discovers her infidelity, but rather than granting a divorce, he decides to drag her into the interior of the country where a deadly cholera epidemic has broken out. Kitty views this as an act of murder and suicide on Walter’s part, but her husband’s true intentions are never known. Maughm’s various works have been adapted a countless number of times, and this film ranks among the best, due largely to the superb performance by Naomi Watts. The growth of her character feels so natural and unforced that the audience will be compelled to embrace her in the end, despite all of the mistakes she has made. Edward Norton is terrific as always, but Walter exists more as a tool that ultimately shapes who Kitty becomes, as opposed to a full-fledged character himself. Norton brings quality to the role, but the film really belongs to Watts, who does her best work since Mulholland Drive. The scenery, thanks to cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh, is absolutely breathtaking; Alexandre Desplat’s musical score evokes the perfect range of emotions; and director John Curran does an excellent job of balancing all of the elements. It is a wonderful translation from book to screen.

Directed by John Curran.
Written by Ron Nyswaner.
Starring Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Toby Jones, Diana Rigg, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang and Juliet Howland.

Rated PG-13 for some mature sexual situations, partial nudity, disturbing images, and brief drug content. 125 min.

**** so says The Fish