By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: James Ivory
Starring: Anjelica Huston | Jeremy Northam | Kate Beckinsale | Nick Nolte | Uma Thurman
Country: france, united_kingdom, united_states
Year: 2001
Running time: 130
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0200669
Diane says: “I liked THE GOLDEN BOWL much better than I expected. The main character in this Henry James’ novel had no redeeming qualities as far as I could see, and her love interest, (Jeremy Northam, who leaves me cold every time) lacked texture. (Why did they choose him to play an Italian prince?) But the father, Nick Nolte, and daughter, Uma Thurman, were very interesting characters. Merchant and Ivory threw in some archival footage to good effect. Great costumes! ”
Michael says: “This Merchant-Ivory Production was an interesting romp. Based on the Henry James novel, THE GOLDEN BOWL finds Charlotte (Uma Thurman) marrying the father (Nick Nolte) of her best friend Maggie, (Kate Beckinsale) only to be near her true love, Maggie’s husband, Prince Amerigo (Jeremy Northan) with whom she had a passionate romance before the engagement. If that sounds a bit far-fetched and even silly, well, that’s part of the fun of this film.
“As things slowly spiral toward their ultimate conclusion, with everyone manipulating the others, either for their own ends, or to protect their loved ones, things really start to get fun. See Uma Thurman act with her hair, see Jeremy Northan as an Italian Prince (?), and see Kate Beckinsale do a spot-on American accent. Oh, and Anjelica Huston, as family-friend Fanny, is priceless. THE GOLDEN BOWL isn’t a terrific movie, but it certainly was fun. 3 cats”
Ellen says: “I didn’t find the film to be as fun as Michael did, I guess. Although there were humorous moments, I started to find it difficult to figure out who was trying to manipulate whom and for what ends. Interestingly, the synopsis I read in the Screening Room flyer went on at length about American technology versus culture, etc. Although that theme did come up in the film, it certainly was not the main focus of the film. I’m curious whether the novel is less about the people/relationships and more about the lack of culture in America.”
Laura says: “This lusty, modern adaptation by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala gives the art house crowd a period soap opera to relish. James’ story casts Charlotte the villain of the piece on a surface level, but some consideration makes one begin to doubt – hasn’t Amerigo betrayed everyone, and for money no less, while Charlotte is motivated by love?”
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/thegoldenbowl.htm”
Robin says: “This is the third film that Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala have adapted from the collected works of turn of the 19th century American novelist James. (THE EUROPEANS and THE BOSTONIANS were their previous efforts.) I have never been a fan of James’s late 1800’s era stories, finding his work too stern and without humor, unlike, for instance, Jane Austen, whose earlier period work – of Englishmen, rather than Americans – are bright and full of wit. James is more concerned with the darker side of the human psyche and THE GOLDEN BOWL is burdened with an almost relentless dourness with it’s tale of deceit and infidelity.”
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/thegoldenbowl.htm”