Beginning in pre-WW2 London the story, based on Rosamund Lehmann's novel 'The Echoing Grove', concerns two sisters - Madeleine (Olivia Williams) and Dinah (Helena Bonham Carter) - who love the same man - Ricky (Paul Bettany). The story is told in flashbacks as the sisters meet for lunch post-WW2.
Ricky is married to Madeleine and they have one son when he and Dinah fall in love and begin a torrid and emotional affair. When Madeleine discovers their affair, Ricky leaves her for Dinah but the result of a chronic illness intervenes and fate returns Ricky to Madeleine. Such are the vagaries of fate and circumstance that Ricky is never reunited with Dinah though he loves her until his untimely death. Instead he remains with Madeleine with whom he has another child, a daughter. Many years later the sisters meet for lunch and the events surrounding the affair form their conversation.
All the leads are excellent: Williams has the most difficult role as her character is emotionally cold and the least sympathetic. She never flinches from portraying a woman who, in spite of her achievements in life, is threatened by her younger and more lively sister, who we learn was favoured by their father and this leaves its lasting effects upon Madeleine. Bonham Carter is in her element as a socially rebellious and artistic outsider in staid middle class society. Bettany is superb as the well behaved gentleman prepared to lose all for a love that would scandalise his society. His love for Dinah aches and proves his unwitting end.
A very emotional and beautiful film cut through with tragedy, misunderstandings and missed moments. I defy anyone to watch this without a lump in their throat, at the least. The notion of touching and then losing true love in life is poignant and something that will be relevant to many.
Ricky is married to Madeleine and they have one son when he and Dinah fall in love and begin a torrid and emotional affair. When Madeleine discovers their affair, Ricky leaves her for Dinah but the result of a chronic illness intervenes and fate returns Ricky to Madeleine. Such are the vagaries of fate and circumstance that Ricky is never reunited with Dinah though he loves her until his untimely death. Instead he remains with Madeleine with whom he has another child, a daughter. Many years later the sisters meet for lunch and the events surrounding the affair form their conversation.
All the leads are excellent: Williams has the most difficult role as her character is emotionally cold and the least sympathetic. She never flinches from portraying a woman who, in spite of her achievements in life, is threatened by her younger and more lively sister, who we learn was favoured by their father and this leaves its lasting effects upon Madeleine. Bonham Carter is in her element as a socially rebellious and artistic outsider in staid middle class society. Bettany is superb as the well behaved gentleman prepared to lose all for a love that would scandalise his society. His love for Dinah aches and proves his unwitting end.
A very emotional and beautiful film cut through with tragedy, misunderstandings and missed moments. I defy anyone to watch this without a lump in their throat, at the least. The notion of touching and then losing true love in life is poignant and something that will be relevant to many.