The Golden Bowl (2000)

53% of critics liked it
(85 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(3,035 ratings)

The distinguished director/producer/writer team of James Ivory, Ismail Merchant, and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala returns to the works of 19th century novelist Henry James in this adaptation of his tale of love and treachery. Wealthy American art collector Adam Verver (Nick Nolte) is traveling Europe with… More The distinguished director/producer/writer team of James Ivory, Ismail Merchant, and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala returns to the works of 19th century novelist Henry James in this adaptation of his tale of love and treachery. Wealthy American art collector Adam Verver (Nick Nolte) is traveling Europe with his daughter Maggie (Kate Beckinsale) following the death of his wife. In their travels, Adam and Maggie encounter Mrs. Assingham (Anjelica Huston), an American socialite who enjoys playing matchmaker, whether or not her subjects are interested. She introduces Maggie to Prince Amerigo (Jeremy Northam), a handsome but penniless member of Italian royalty, and after a bit of prodding, they announce their intention to marry. Mrs. Assingham also pushes Adam into a relationship with Charlotte (Uma Thurman), a close friend of Maggie, and they too decide to wed. However, no one else knows that Amerigo and Charlotte were once lovers, who broke off their relationship because he couldn't marry a commoner with no money. Their passion is eventually too strong to resist, and they embark on an adulterous affair, which becomes even more dangerous when Mrs. Assingham learns of it. The Golden Bowl was Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala's third film based on a James novel, following The Europeans (1979) and The Bostonians (1984). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: James Ivory
Written By: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: May 14, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Nov 6, 2001
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

Rita Kempley, Washington Post
It suffers mightily from its deliberate pacing, pale characterizations, obvious plot and some woeful miscasting.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
An elegant soap.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
coiled, nuanced, resonant tale.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
In this movie, all displays of passion feel like gaudy pantomime.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
Makes the viewer wish that Ivory had cast a more accomplished actress -- Kate Winslet, perhaps, or Cate Blanchett -- who could give dimension to the character and indicate subtext in a way that Thurman can't.
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
The Golden Bowl is a feast for those who love nuanced conversation, unspoken emotion and guarded looks.
Harry Guerin, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
Despite a denouement which arrives half an hour too late, the complexities of James' work are superbly realised.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
The Golden Bowl may not be the most exciting movie you'll ever see, but those who pay attention should find themselves pleasantly rewarded.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
Decent screenplay, superb acting, fantastic set design and photography: so why doesn't this movie feel great? Mainly it's just that the metaphors deployed are fairly obvious and the slow, played-out peacocks' dance of romantic discovery and recrimination
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com
The bowl practically screams, "Look at me! I'm a metaphor!"

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

A disappointing movie to say the least, with such an all-star cast. Nick Nolte was at his good point here, but still could only do the best he could for the scripted role he played. Uma Thurman a beautiful women even in this movie, Anjelica Houston, I could go on and on, as you see a… More
A disappointing movie to say the least, with such an all-star cast. Nick Nolte was at his good point here, but still could only do the best he could for the scripted role he played. Uma Thurman a beautiful women even in this movie, Anjelica Houston, I could go on and on, as you see a star studded cast, and a wash out of a movie, the version I watch seemed like it was at one time supposed to be a mini Series that was cut up to make a movie. Put out by BBC Films, one of the few disappointments that they have put out. I can only manage to give it 2 stars.
FanGirl B

I didn't like this movie the first time, I've watched it couple more times and it has grown on me.