DVD Review: The Invisible Woman
Historic people that seem nice are probably douchebags.
Okay, so that's a broad statement, but if this movie is accurate (and honestly I'm too lazy to check) then Charles Dickens was a class A douche for what he did to his wife.
The Invisible Woman tells the story of Dickens (Ralph Fiennes, also the director) and the affair that he had with young Nelly (Felicity Jones) in the 1850's. He wants to keep her a secret for obvious reasons, which is shocking because early on the in film he fails miserably at this when his wife accidentally receives jewelry meant for Nelly AND HE MAKES HER GIVE IT TO NELLY HERSELF. Nelly's not exactly the most sympathetic character either, she still lies to her husband about her relationship with Dickens and many more things on top of that.
To put into context how boring this movie is, I watched this movie while running on my treadmill, and it nearly put me to sleep. Running on my treadmill! Who wants to pass out mid work out? People watching this shit, apparently. There's no credit to give anywhere. I like Fiennes and Jones, but they don't turn in particularly great performances. Nothing stands out about Fiennes' direction. Normally, at least the costumes look good in these period pieces, but I can't even give it credit there because none of Jones' costumes fit her properly. (How did this get a costume design Oscar nom over Oz: The Great and Powerful?)
Then there's an awful train crash sequence, a stillborn baby that looks like the one from Children of the Damned, and the annoyingly angry score.
Recommended: No
Grade: F
Memorable Quote: "He always knew he'd go before me." - Nelly (Felicity Jones)
I could not agree more!! I DID nod off when I saw this in the theater. Such a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteAnd Fiennes directed it too! He should just stick with acting.
DeleteYeah, it sounds like a trashy historical film. One of my favorite actresses, Elizabeth Olsen just did one called "In Secret." That film was dreadful. Sometimes I think historical films have lower standards b/c they rely too much on costuming and atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite victorian romances was 'The Last Mistress' with Asia Argento. Now that's a romance.
Yes! They do rely too much on costumes and atmosphere. I've never seen In Secret or The Last Mistress. I'm going to have to look those two up!
DeleteI've never even heard of this, but it sounds really bad. That jewelry scene sounds like too much.
ReplyDeleteI don't take the Oscars serious. When Black Swan was snubbed for Best Costume I was so disappointed.
I'm an Oscar junkie, but I have no idea how this film snuck in. Black Swan's costumes were great, that snub was a shame.
DeleteLOL, I swear you already reviewed this and then I remembered that you just trashed it on Twitter!
ReplyDeletehaha. Yep, I actually wrote this review over a month ago, I just finally got around to publishing it. I'm weird about spaces out my posts.
DeleteOh man, staying away from this one :) It does look crazy boring.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Michelle Fairley's 30 second cameo is buried in it.
DeleteThat's too bad about this movie. When I first saw what it was about that's why I jumped in to read your review.. then well.. the boring part and I decided I am not going to watch it after all.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's not great at all. I don't even think I was being extra hard on it either.
DeleteHaha, I hadn't heard good things, but this sounds BAD. I still might watch it though, since it got an Oscar nod. ;)
ReplyDeleteA very questionable one.
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