BBBB.5
(out of 5)
Riveting costume drama that looks to reveal the grimy underbelly of proper Victorian society. Mark Rylance is irresistible as a scientist researching insects who is invited to study at the home of a wealthy benefactor, eventually falling in love with the young lady of the house (Patsy Kensit) and marrying her. What he doesn’t know is that Patsy’s up to no good with a certain other resident of the household and upon finding out about it, Rylance realizes that creepy crawly bugs definitely aren’t the grossest things that could be found in this home. Kristin Scott Thomas is perfect as the poor relative/hanger-on who bewitches Rylance with her immediate camaraderie and stylish intelligence. Wonderfully directed by Philip Haas, the film has a visceral modern look, even for a period piece.
USA/United Kingdom, 1995
Directed by Philip Haas
Screenplay by Belinda Haas,Philip Haas, based on the novella Morpho Eugenia by A.S. Byatt
Cinematography by Bernard Zitzermann
Produced by Belinda Haas, Joyce Herlihy, Kerry Orent
Music by Alexander Balanescu
Production Design by Jennifer Kernke
Costume Design by Paul Brown
Film Editing by Belinda Haas
Film Festivals: Cannes 1995, TIFF 1995
Cast Tags: Alan John Bannister, Alice Maitland, Andrew Titcombe, Angela Raynor, Angelina Hereda Reza, Angus Hodder, Anna Massey, Annette Badland, Austin France, Bernadette Iglich, Brett Harris, Brian Pickin, Carmen Booton, Catrina Cauchi, Chris Larkin, Chris Treanor, Claire Brown, Clare Lovell, Clare Redman, Claudia Pottier, Collette McDaid, Daniel Belton, Douglas Henshall, Elizabeth Turney, Enrique Neyra,Fuschia Peters, Gareth Knapman, Graham Glover, Hannah Maitland, Iain Wright, Jack Turney, Jason Davies, Jenny Lovell, Jeremy Kemp, John Jenkins, John Veasey, Joy Constaninides, Judith Clulow, Kay Sarah Morgan, Kenneth Tharp, Kristin Scott Thomas,Laura Alice Needham, Leesa Phillips, Lindsay Thomas, Lorna Fielding, Lucy Thompson, Marco De Santos, Margaret Clarke, Margaret Golder, Margaret Hussey, Marian Roseman Hayes,Mark Ashman, Mark Boffin, Mark Rylance, Michael Fulwell, Michelle Sylvester, Ming Yam Low, Naomi Gudge, Nicky Turney, Nicola Smitham, Norman Hussey, Oona Haas, Pam Smitham, Patsy Kensit, Paul James Parker, Paul Ready, Paula Askew, Richard Humphries, Richard Rawlinson, Sarah Braker, Saskia Wickham, Sharryn Arnold, Souli Yates,Stephanie Smith, Suzanne Gordon, Talkun Abdureheim, Terry Askew, Tracey Clarke, Valerie Middleton, Vita Haas, Walter Lincoln, Walter White
Academy Award Nomination
Best Costume Design (Paul Brown)
National Board Of Review Award
Special Recognition, for excellence in filmmaking
