-The Painted Veil (2006)

Rated PG13

Directed by John Curran

Starring Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Diana Rigg, Toby Jones

Heidi’s Illustrious Rating: 4

Word of Warning: This is a period piece. It has very tame sex scenes, some violence and scenes of death and dying.

Note: This movie is reminiscent of “Indochine.” I highly recommend that film as well.

I was not aware of this movie before it popped up as a suggestion on Netflix. I think Edward Norton is one of the best actors of his generation and I like Naomi Watts, so I quickly added this movie to my queue.

Based in the 1920’s, “The Painted Veil” is based on a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is a tumultuous story of love, death and political up-rise, set against a dramatically beautiful Chinese countryside.

Kitty (Naomi Watts) is a spoiled Londoner who has become bored with her life. Her family continually focuses on her unmarried status and so when Dr. Walter Fane (Edward Norton) professes his love and proposed marriage, she consents, despite hardly knowing the man. The newlyweds move to Shanghai where Walter has obtained a government position as a research bacteriologist. Shanghai is an exciting place in the 1920’s, and lavish parties and tea times allow the British colonists to avoid facing the growing political strife within China. 

While the quiet and reserved Dr. Walter Fane works, Kitty avoids boredom by becoming involved in an affair with the handsome and married English Vice Counsul Charlies Townsend (Liev Schrieber). The exhilaration of her affair is soon overshadowed by Walter’s animosity when he discovers her indiscretion. Walter decides to take a job studying an outbreak of cholera in a distant Chinese village and he drags an unwilling and unhappy Kitty along. 

The move results in a complex emotional transition for both main characters. The depth of emotions so subtly displayed by Walter is a testiment to Norton’s acting abilities. The movie not ony captures the intimate and intricate nature of Kitty and Walter’s relationship, but also the complicated political situation of the day.  

“The Painted Veil” is a beautiful and heartbreaking love story. While it is a slow-paced movie the powerful performances by both Norton and Watts kept me captivated. This isn’t a light and airy popcorn movie, but it would be perfect with a hot cup of tea on a crisp Fall evening.