Reviews

Whilst Fred and Velvet's relationship is in stalemate, there are some nice moments of tenderness between them (tenderness in a LaBute film is quite a surprise).

However after reading about cormorants that are kept on leads as pets, the writer becomes obsessed with the bird, in an almost romantic way as he neglects his wife and endangers his child in his refusal to let the bird go- a bird that may well be cursed.

Most films stop halfway through with the basic love story between rebellious Cathy (Juliette Binoche) and her adopted brother, the miserable Heathcliff (Ralph Fiennes), who leaves Wuthering Heights and then returns again, looking every inch the gentleman.

The aesthetic of the film really captures the zeitgeist of the period, which Merchant and Ivory almost always manage to do- but the film is killed by very slow pacing.

Perhaps if you're looking for pure melodrama, then you'll enjoy the modern remake. However King Kong is not merely a melodrama- in fact, it's more of a tragedy. Anybody who is not moved by the last line must be heartless.

If you like British seventies comedy, you'll probably like this. I suppose it beats going to a funeral.

...this is a disturbing but rewarding film- a tragedy based on cultural ignorance and arrogant/delusional fantasies, plus an ironic spin on Madame Butterfly.