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The Governess (1997)

Director: Sandra Goldbacher

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

The 1840s. After the murder of her father, Rosina (Driver) sheds her Jewish identity and arrives on a Scottish island to work as a governess. Her charge's father, Charles (Wilkinson), is obsessed with the secrets of photography. Rosina is fascinated and soon the pair are entwined. Writer/director Goldbacher knows how to create atmosphere - the early London scenes have a musty, sensual sweetness straight out of Daniel Deronda. The edgy camera alerts us to potential fracture: even before the father's double life is exposed, we know something's amiss. When the action moves to Scotland, however, doubts begin to creep in - a voyage of female self-discovery set by the bleak sea? Surely The Piano and Breaking the Waves have been there, done that. Nevertheless, the script keeps you intrigued and the use of photography as a metaphor for emotional 'preservation' is delicately done. Driver is full of hoity-toity charisma. Luckily, however, Wilkinson's wonderfully quiet performance doesn't go to waste.

Author: CO'Su 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Christine said...
    Posted on Mar 02 2008 19:05 Hello,
    Wonderful movie...
    Does any one know who is singing the song 'Addio' in this movie..?
    I believe it is a Greek love song..?
    Thank you.
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Cast & crew

Director: Sandra Goldbacher

Producer: Sarah Curtis

Cast: Minnie Driver, Tom Wilkinson, Harriet Walter, Florence Hoath, Bruce Myers, Jonathan Rhys Meyers full cast

Genre(s): Period/Swashbucklers

Duration: 114 mins


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