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- 2006
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 2 h 5 m
- 2006
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 2 h 5 m
Summary Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham and set against the visually stunning backdrop of China during one of its most dramatic periods of upheaval, The Painted Veil tells a unique love story of an estranged husband and wife who find redemption and unexpected grace in a very unlikely place. [Warner Independent Pictures]
Directed By: John Curran
Written By: Ron Nyswaner, W. Somerset Maugham
- 2006
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 2 h 5 m
- 2006
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 2 h 5 m
The Painted Veil
69
8.0
Where to Watch
Summary Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham and set against the visually stunning backdrop of China during one of its most dramatic periods of upheaval, The Painted Veil tells a unique love story of an estranged husband and wife who find redemption and unexpected grace in a very unlikely place. [Warner Independent Pictures]
Directed By: John Curran
Written By: Ron Nyswaner, W. Somerset Maugham
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
69
82% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
18% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
69
82% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
18% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The year's best romantic drama.
If The Painted Veil ultimately lacks some of the novelty and ambition of the year's best pictures, it still ranks as one of 2006's quiet gems.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 56 User Ratings
8.0
86% Positive
48 Ratings
48 Ratings
13% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
2% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 56 User Ratings
8.0
86% Positive
48 Ratings
48 Ratings
13% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
2% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Es una película muy bien realizada; la trama es buena, la música es sublime y las actuaciones de Naomi Watts y Edward Norton son excelentes; muy recomendable.
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The Chinese locations ache with beauty. And when Watts and Norton focus, intently, on Maugham's often dazzlingly vindictive characters, The Painted Veil really does feel like a story worth filming a third time.
The movie makes for a good old-fashioned wide-screen wallow. Norton isn’t remotely credible, but Toby Jones is dandy as a sleazeball with a core of decency, and Watts is so open, so soulfully petulant, so transcendentally pretty, that even Maugham might reconsider the pleasures of the flesh.
Despite the rich, atmospheric textures, Norton's artificiality, Watts' unlikability, and a plot comprised of one melodramatic wrinkle after another all contrive to frustrate our empathy.
Terrific actors give glum performances.
Wow, this was great! I was pleasantly surprised, because I am not a big fan of romances and these dramatically slow and depressing films about relationships. But this film is definitely an exception, it did not make me vomit, not for a single moment. In fact, I think I love this film.
The scenery is beautiful and it creates a perfect atmosphere, so does the music composed by Alexandre Desplat. The french song at the end of the film is especially beautiful and fitting. It's a very good period drama and realistic in every way. Both Edward Norton and Naomi Watts are superb. The pacing is quite perfect. All in all, a great film!
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This film is the result of a partnership between the US and China. The script is a cheap romance, in which a futile girl marries without love and betrays her husband, a doctor who truly loves her. From there, they live a marriage that only exists formally and things get worse when they go to a secluded hamlet in China, where an epidemic of cholera broke out. The country's political situation will also cause problems, as China, recently transformed into a republic with the deposition of the last emperor, becomes a troubled country, with internal conflicts and a huge aversion to foreigners.
The plot adapts to the cinema an absolutely dry and heartless novel, but it does so in a way that's sometimes a bit melodramatic. I understand the intention: to increase the dramatic effect, the writer sweetened the story and altered it a bit, to make it more digestible. That's good but, just like when making a cake, we have to be careful not to overdo the amount of sugar. Unfortunately, sometimes it abuses the sugar but, at the same time, the epidemic and the misery of the people help to bring the film to a more realistic background and cut through this excessive sweetness. Thus, everything becomes more balanced, harmonious and pleasant. The political part of the plot, however, seem to be totally out of context and never fit into the overall story. I say this because this didn't make any difference in the story itself. It's totally dispensable. What happened here? Did the writer decided not to develop this subplot or Chinese CP demand that the film speak of this issue in a sort of political-historical revisionism? If the later was the true, it was something that did not really interest. China, however it tries to look like a westernized country, will only be truly modern with free and multiparty elections, a free press and freedom of opinion. None of these things exist behind the polluted and ultra-modern image that China likes to show us, and there is no smoke curtain strong enough for the Chinese dictatorship to hide that.
Edward Norton and Naomi Watts are two well-known and talented actors. The two have already seen their names on the list of Oscar-nominated actors. They worked very well but Norton's character is more able of captivating public's affection, while she will have a long atonement ahead. Anyway, Watts was able to show the moral and psychological evolution of her character, and that was difficult even for a good actress. The remaining cast, unfortunately, is remarkably insignificant. Toby Jones is good enough but has little to do, as can Diana Rigg and Liev Schreiber. Better than them are the scenarios and cinematography. China has shown in this film some magnificent landscapes, which the film has been able to explore. The soundtrack has some excellent piano pieces of a mournful and sad tone, which harmonizes with the mists, disease and love affairs that are the core of the story itself.
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This film certainly has a lot going for it. First off, the cinematography is gorgeous. Every shot is more beautiful than the next, thanks in large to the beautiful and picturesque scenery. The acting from leads Edward Norton and Naomi Watts is top-notch and their chemistry is very good with one another. Toby Jones also has a good supporting role here. For all of them, they got to play very well developed and multi-faceted characters, a bonus for them and a key element to what makes this one a success, as the script is very well done. In addition, the love story is well done. I am not typically overly into romantic films, but this one is definitely different as the romance feels real and not cheesy at all. All of these elements also feel realistic for the time period depicted and really makes it feel like an authentic portrayal of a man and a wife who are going through troubled times with one another. Finally, the film is very interesting, it never really failed to have my interest. Yes, it is slow and methodic, but it is a gorgeous film to watch and take in and never really heads towards "boring" for me. Overall, "The Painted Veil" is a very well done period piece that is almost melodic in its portrayal of this love story.
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A movie that captures you with its poignant imagery and characterizations. The performances are subtle, yet strong they are all believable in their characters. The quiet beauty of the story is somewhat undone by some elements of the ending, thus keeping it from fully realizing its potential. However, that does not detract much from its overall appeal as a really well crafted romantic drama.
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Production Company
WIP,
Stratus Film Co.,
Bob Yari Productions,
Class 5 Films,
Dragon Studios,
Emotion Pictures,
The Colleton Company,
The Mark Gordon Company,
Warner China Film HG Corporation
Release Date Dec 20, 2006
Duration 2 h 5 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
International Cinephile Society Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
International Online Cinema Awards (INOCA)
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
