DVD Review: The Invisible Woman

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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)
  

Comments

  1. LindaJune 12, 2014 at 7:07 AM

    I could not agree more!! I DID nod off when I saw this in the theater. Such a disappointment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 12, 2014 at 9:12 AM

      And Fiennes directed it too! He should just stick with acting.

      Delete
  2. msmariahJune 12, 2014 at 8:48 AM

    Yeah, 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.

    One of my favorite victorian romances was 'The Last Mistress' with Asia Argento. Now that's a romance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 12, 2014 at 9:11 AM

      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!

      Delete
  3. .June 12, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    I've never even heard of this, but it sounds really bad. That jewelry scene sounds like too much.
    I don't take the Oscars serious. When Black Swan was snubbed for Best Costume I was so disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 12, 2014 at 9:08 AM

      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.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJune 12, 2014 at 2:10 PM

    LOL, I swear you already reviewed this and then I remembered that you just trashed it on Twitter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 13, 2014 at 8:56 AM

      haha. 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.

      Delete
  5. s.June 13, 2014 at 1:25 PM

    Oh man, staying away from this one :) It does look crazy boring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 14, 2014 at 6:55 AM

      It is. Michelle Fairley's 30 second cameo is buried in it.

      Delete
  6. Angela's Anxious LifeJune 13, 2014 at 7:22 PM

    That'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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 14, 2014 at 6:55 AM

      Yeah, it's not great at all. I don't even think I was being extra hard on it either.

      Delete
  7. JoshJune 20, 2014 at 9:58 AM

    Haha, I hadn't heard good things, but this sounds BAD. I still might watch it though, since it got an Oscar nod. ;)

    ReplyDelete

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