Cheap The Governess (DVD) (Minnie Driver, Tom Wilkinson) (Sandra Goldbacher) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Governess

I found it interesting that he refused to capture any images that represent human or living forms in his research. I felt that this reflected his inability to connect himself to other humans, including his bored and highly-proper wife. Mary comes into the picture and provides a burst of humanity and warmth in the stuffy and pretentious atmosphere. This warmth and presence that Minnie delivers so well on the screen, is irresistable to Mr. Cavendish, as well as his children. She brings this serious man out of his box and they begin a torrid affair. His wife is oblivious. She is in her own world most of the time.

When Mr. Cavendish cannot accept that he has such intense feelings for Mary, he pushes her away. The ending, which I won't give away, was moving and quite satisfying.

I thought the film was beautifully done, in particular the scenes where Mary is posing for the camera. Minnie Driver looks like she stepped out of a painting from antiquity. Even though Tom Wilkinson (Mr. Cavendish) is not your stereotypical Hollywood "hunk", he provides the sexual chemistry of a man obsessed. This makes his performance not only challenging, but rewarding. Mary loves him on many levels, not just physical ones, but they connect in their minds as well as their hearts.

LAVISH CINEMATOGRAPHY...INTRIGUING PERIOD PIECE
Set in mid nineteenth century England and Scotland, this is a lush and beautifully shot film which those who love period pieces should very much enjoy. This one is a little unusual in that the storyline revolves around a sephardic Jewess, Rosalina Da Silva, who lives in London with her family. When her father dies most unexpectedly, the family suffers a reversal of fortune, and Rosalina must either marry or work in order to be able to assist her family financially. A passionate, intelligent, and earthy woman for her time, Rosalina opts to work, rather than marry the unattractive, older fish merchant who comes a courting.

Looking forward to adventure and a change of scenery, she obtains employment as a governess to the Protestant, upper crust Cavendish family on the remote Isle of Skye in Scotland. She obtains the position under the assumed name "Mary Black-Church" in order to avoid anti-semitism. Shortly after her arrival, she meets the lady of the house, a vapid, bored, and totally uninteresting woman, as well as her charge, a spoiled young girl, whom "Mary" quickly sets to right.

The man of the house, Charles Cavendish, is an educated, seemingly middle aged man, introspective and remote, engaged in perfecting the process involved in that of early photography, a project in which his wife is clearly uninterested. "Mary", inquisitive and freed of her familial constraints, becomes interested in his work, much to Mr. Cavendish's surprise and ultimate delight. While he only photographs inanimate objects, "Mary" is much more intrigued by the idea of capturing a living likeness, an interest in which Charles Cavendish neither shares nor comprehends. Initially drawn to "Mary" by her seeming interest in his project, a spark ignites between them, and they begin a quite torrid and passionate affair which "Mary" overtly invites.

The affair comes crashing down when "Mary" takes some nude shots of Charles while he is sleeping. Caught in so vulnerable and compromising a position, Charles abruptly ends the affair, much to "Mary's" torment and despair. "Mary" retaliates in a big way, sending the household rocking, by having an affair with Charles' son, Harry, and, ultimately, by giving the wife her very own set of photographs of her husband. Never underestimate the fury of a woman scorned!

"Mary" returns to London and her home, reassuming her own identity. What she does with her newly acquired skill in photography is sure to delight feminists everywhere. As to what Charles Cavensish eventually does about "Mary", watch the movie and see who has the last laugh.

Minnie Driver gives a wonderful portrayal as the spirited Rosalina Da Silva, while Tom Wilkinson gives a fine performance as the dour Charles Cavendish, a man caught in a web of his own making. The love scenes between the two, however, at times do not quite work, almost as if there were no chemistry between the two. Perhaps it is because "Mary" initiates the affair, and it is somewhat unexpected and jarring to have her do so. Yet, at other times the love scenes are positively sensual and consummately erotic...especially the veil scene.

Harriet Walters does justice to her role as the insipid Mrs. Cavendish. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers gives an affecting perfomance as Harry, the coltish, hunky son. Florence Hoath rounds out this excellent cast, as the young girl for whom "Mary" was hired. All in all, this is an unusual and interesting film. While the story may occasionally seem a little disjointed, it is still a compelling period drama and well worth watching.

Loved it!
Sensual, sensuous, beautifully filmed, some nudity (which was delightful, although no sex, unfortunately), and a wonderful story of a woman's first love and love affair and blossoming into her power. The soundtrack was stunning. I recommend it highly!