As part of the TRAVELS & TRAVAILS series

The Wings of the Dove

1997, 102 minutes

This film could be described as one of the best “Merchant & Ivory” films––even if neither of them had anything to do with it. Based on the Henry James novel and with cinematography that could have been by John Singer Sargent, this film conveys both the élan and squalor of the Edwardian Era, when falling from society often meant destitution. Helena Bonham Carter is at her incandescent best as Kate Croy, a debutante facing a precarious choice: she can marry Merton (Linus Roache), the poor journalist she loves or she can stay in the good graces of her benevolent but dominating aunt (played by an icy Charlotte Rampling). Kate instead contrives a third path when she befriends a dying American heiress (Alison Elliott), who is kind, generous and smitten with Merton. A devil’s bargain is struck when they travel to Venice and Kate steers the man she loves into a relationship with the heiress––igniting an emotional storm as her pragmatic instincts collide with loyalties and desires.

This is a radiant film––as glorious as it is bittersweet––with the Italian locations never more sublime.

PLEASE NOTE--This film is RATED R with smoking, drinking, drug-use, nudity, sexuality, dissolute aristocrats (what other kinds are there?) and a torrid Venetian festival.