Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #174 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-09-03
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Synopsis
The third film version of Somerset Maugham’s 1925 novel--directed by John Curran--is ripe with stunning Chinese locales and a smart turn from Naomi Watts as Kitty Fane, the aging English socialite who must put herself in strange and turbulent surroundings before she finds her true self. A complex and beautiful international production, this adaptation benefits greatly from the lack restrictions that inhibited it’s previous incarnations in 1925 (with Greta Garbo) and in 1957 (as THE SEVENTH SIN). After pressure from her wealthy parents to settle down, Kitty (Naomi Watts) marries mild-mannered bacteriologist Walter (Edward Norton), despite her lack of love for him. Shortly after their vows, he takes her to Shanghai, where she immediately has an affair with Charles Townsend (Liev Shrieber), an English Vice Consul. Walter becomes aware of Kitty’s indiscretion and promptly whisks her away to the mountain village of Mei-tan-fu, where they befriend another English expat, the secretly decadent Deputy Commissioner Waddington (Toby Jones, in an extremely likeable performance). Walter begins working to hold an encroaching cholera epidemic at bay---leaving Kitty to ponder her role in the situation as death looms over the village like a spectre. A labour of love that took the better part of a decade for producer Norton and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, THE PAINTED VEIL is a large, complex, and visually sumptuous production that employed a primarily Chinese crew on its intense location shoots. Norton’s passion for the material is on full display, as he turns in another solid performance. Watts, however, who portrayed another unfaithful wife in Curran’s previous film WE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (2004), is the heart of the film, all bee-stung lips and sweat on porcelain skin. Romantic, escapist entertainment in the best sense, THE PAINTED VEIL is yet more proof that there is an endless pool of silver screen potential in the classics of literature.

Customer Reviews

Abysmal
I had to force myself to watch this to the end. Beautiful cinematography, excellent story but just didnt do it for me

The Painted Veil
Since I first heard about this film I knew I just had to have it! I've watched it a couple of times now and I know I'll watch it many more. This is a wonderful film. The acting is brilliant - I just love Edward Norton, he's such a versatile and talented actor! The scenery is stunning and the music is lovely. I won't say anything about the storyline as a lot of people have already commented on it. Suffice to say this is a must have for anyone who enjoys period drama.

Not enough movies like this one
I will admit reading the back cover i had my doubts but being a true period film fan i gave it a shot and i wasn't dissapointed in the least.
The film is moving, the acting is superb and the scenery is breathtaking.
And with a substantial view of edward nortons behind how can you go wrong.
I recommended you watch this and also read the novel its very closely based on.