Disappointing
Paula from Dublin, 21 Sep 2007
Being a huge W. Somerset Maugham fan I awaited this film with baited breath. Certainly the cinematography camptures the exciting exotic intociating beauty of the Far East. Edward Norton plays Dr. Fane and his wife played by Naomi Watts are an incongruous couple brought together in a marriage of convenience, the actors are so caught up in their phoney English accents they hardly remember to act. This is a severe case of poor casting and what should have been a masterpiece, is I'm afraid a flop
Lacks emotional impact.
Ciaran from Dublin, 10 Oct 2007
Beautifully shot and slow moving, The Painted Veil is a movie that you want to immerse yourself in, but find it hard to do so. All the characters are well acted but the problem is that it is hard to connect with the main pair played excellently by Watts and Norton. This is because they spend most of the movie cut off from each other and also from the viewer. The small moments they let us in are the movies strongest moments; and the scene where they accept their differences stands out. 6/10.
Superbly acted but left wanting...
Niamh from Dublin, 12 Nov 2007
The acting by Norton and Watts in this film was superb, especially Norton as we slowly get to chip away at his character and slowly but surely get to see the devotion he hides so well. Excellent cinematography, but quite haunting seeing how such a beautiful place go through such tragic circumstances.
Slightly predictable ending but despite its 'epic' feel it leaves you wanting a closer affinity with the story which still remains a little detached even to the end. Still defo worth a watch
Hmm...
Chris from Meath, 10 Apr 2008
BIG cinematic credentials but doesn't hit the mark. Watchable,but reasonably predictable. Nice cinematography, but possibly a bit of a wasted opportunity. The affected "Englishness" of Norton/Schrieber/Watts (ok technically she is English by way of birth but growing up Down Under...ooo er, missus..) is too contrived and there's quite a few stereotypical stiff upper lip characters
not bad...
Barbara from Cork, 04 Sep 2008
... but not extremely good either. It was visually stunning and the story was good, too. But something was missing and I can't quite put my finger on it. Naomi Watts and Edward Norton were both good in their parts but Liev Schreiber was mis-cast.
This is a slow film, just right for a nice, quiet evening in with a bottle of wine.