In Cornwall, Orphan Philip is brought up by his cousin Ambrose. Ambrose dies in Italy in mysterious circumstances, shortly after having married Rachel. Rachel comes to Cornwall: Ambrose didn't change his will after marrying, and Philip suspects Rachel of poisoning him. Despite his initial suspicions, Philip gradually becomes besotted with Rachel, gifting her jewellery and gifting Ambrose's estate to her. But then he falls ill - could she be poisoning him, too?
This adaptation of Deaphne Du Maurier's mystery romance novel fiddles about with the mechanics of the ending but otherwise stays faithfully to the dynamics of the original. And it is with the original that I must take exception for denying me satisfaction. Because the one thing you want to know is "Is Rachel guilty of plotting and poisoning, or is it all an unfortunate combination of circumstances?"
Well guess what, and I'm sorry for the spoiler, but you're not going to find out here. Oh, there will be some who will say "Of course she's guilty, look at da de da de da. But there will also be those who say "Oh, of course she's innocent, look at da de da de da," and this proves my point. There is nothing here to resolve the mystery. And I find that annoying.
The film is beautifully staged - locations, costumes, cinematography, all are gorgeous. And the acting is excellent, with Sam Claflin's conflicted Philip being particularly effective. Rachel Weisz is Rachel, and I simply don't care for her screen presence in pretty nearly everything I've seen her in, but she does a tolerable job in presenting an ambiguous Rachel.
This adaptation of Deaphne Du Maurier's mystery romance novel fiddles about with the mechanics of the ending but otherwise stays faithfully to the dynamics of the original. And it is with the original that I must take exception for denying me satisfaction. Because the one thing you want to know is "Is Rachel guilty of plotting and poisoning, or is it all an unfortunate combination of circumstances?"
Well guess what, and I'm sorry for the spoiler, but you're not going to find out here. Oh, there will be some who will say "Of course she's guilty, look at da de da de da. But there will also be those who say "Oh, of course she's innocent, look at da de da de da," and this proves my point. There is nothing here to resolve the mystery. And I find that annoying.
The film is beautifully staged - locations, costumes, cinematography, all are gorgeous. And the acting is excellent, with Sam Claflin's conflicted Philip being particularly effective. Rachel Weisz is Rachel, and I simply don't care for her screen presence in pretty nearly everything I've seen her in, but she does a tolerable job in presenting an ambiguous Rachel.