Tag: Victorian era

Rachel (Rachel Weisz) accepts the family necklace from Philip (Sam Claflin).

MY COUSIN RACHEL

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

In the Victorian era of “My Cousin Rachel,” if a woman’s husband dies of a brain tumor, why do her husband’s relatives assume that she must be some kind of black widow?

This theory does not make any sense, because women could not inherit property then. If a husband dies, and a woman has no male children, she is out of business.

In the film, “My Cousin Rachel,” Rachel (Rachel Weisz) is in a destitute situation. So, she throws herself at the mercy of her husband’s male heir, Philip (Sam Claflin).

Philip is just 24 years old when he meets Rachel, who is an older, but very accomplished woman.

Philip spurns Louise (Holliday Grainger), the daughter of his godfather, Nick Kendall (Iain Glen), who is managing his estate, which Philip is due to inherit at age 25.

Rachel is walking into a very unfriendly and deadly environment. She has to please Philip, so he will support her, but she immediately sees that Louise has her sights on him as a husband. Her every move is analyzed mercilessly.

Does Rachel have no other relatives? No one makes inquiries about her family.

She does have a male confidant, Rainaldi, who helps her manage the closing of her deceased husband’s villa. Rainaldi is the one who supplies the death certificate and verifies that Philip is still the heir, with no changes to his uncle’s will.

Philip is too young to intuit Rachel’s situation. Rather, he sees her approach as a come on to him, and he spurns Louise, because Louise is too frank with him, which wounds his ego.

I also wonder why Philip’s estate is in such a shambles just before Rachel arrives. The dogs have their run of the mansion and the roof leaks.

The story is by Daphne du Maurier, who’s other novels have also been the subjects of American films, such as “Rebecca” and “The Birds.” Another version of “My Cousin Rachel” was made in 1952, starring Richard Burton and Olivia de Havilland.

Most Hollywood films feature happy endings, but not du Maurier’s stories. She explores interesting character studies, which ring true.

The filming of the 2017 version of “My Cousin Rachel” is exquisite. Very strong, beautiful and vivid imagery.

Rachel (Rachel Weisz) ponders her situation.

Bio of novelist, Daphne du Maurier:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphne_du_Maurier

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6/24/2017 # My Cousin Rachel

Poet Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon) kisses the forehead of her beloved father, Edward (Keith Carradine).

A QUIET PASSION

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

Poet Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon), thanks to her forward thinking father, Edward Dickinson (Keith Carradine) was spared the fate of most Victorian women. Too bad the film, “A Quiet Passion,” does not see it that way.

Not only Emily, but her sister, Vinnie (Jennifer Ehle), chose not to marry, even though both women were attractive and of good family.

In the Victorian era, women had no rights. They became the property of their husbands and were expected to clean and bear children.

They did not get educations. They did not vote. They could not have property. And, they could not have money. A shortened term for Victorian is victim.

Emily, on the other hand, had a father, who was an attorney, a congressman, who served on the board of a college, and who made sure that all his children were educated.

Yes, Emily became a recluse, because that was easier than having to explain why she was not married, during an era that saw it as being something shameful.

Also, the American Civil War occurred in 1861, when Emily was just 30 years old. Most of the eligible men died during that time period.

Emily received pleasure through writing poetry.

And, the household did not have all the servants that the film implies. Both, Emily and her sister took care of the housework and cooking, because her mother (Joanna Bacon as Emily Norcross Dickinson), was not able, because of depression and a stroke.

When Emily’s father died, her brother, Austin (Duncan Duff), who also became an attorney and, who also served on the College Board, took care of his female family members.

Austin’s wife, Susan Gilbert Dickinson (Jodhi May), was one of Emily’s old school friends. Emily considered Susan a confidant, but after Emily’s death, Susan was not interested in seeing that her poetry was published.

Susan gave Austin three children, two boys and a girl. Both of the boys died before their time.

Emily became very attached to her brother’s children, particularly the youngest nephew, Thomas Gilbert (Gib) Dickinson (1875-1883). It is thought that Emily’s health took a sharp decline after his death. Emily died in 1986.

After Emily’s death, it was Austin’s mistress, Mabel Loomis Todd (Noemie Schellens), who took an interest in getting Emily’s poems published. Sister Vinnie approached her after Susan, Austin’s wife, seemed uninterested.

Mabel did sing and she was only about 25 years old, when she met Austin, who was much older than she was.

Mabel’s husband was a much older professor and astronomer at the college, where Austin served on the board. Mabel’s husband, David Peck Todd, did not seem to mind the affair. He and Mabel had a daughter together.

Long story short, Emily only got about twelve of her poems published during her lifetime, then all 1800 or so poems were published after her death, and have remained in print ever since.

“A Quiet Passion” does not get all the facts straight, but it is worth seeing. Emily Dickinson is forever an American treasure as a writer.