The Governess (1998)
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65% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(1,868 ratings)
London TV commercials director Sandra Goldbacher made her feature directorial debut with this early Victorian England drama filmed on the Isle of Arran. In London, Rosina Da Silva (Minnie Driver) is shaken by the murder of her father, a wealthy Jewish merchant. To deal with family debts, Rosina… More London TV commercials director Sandra Goldbacher made her feature directorial debut with this early Victorian England drama filmed on the Isle of Arran. In London, Rosina Da Silva (Minnie Driver) is shaken by the murder of her father, a wealthy Jewish merchant. To deal with family debts, Rosina places a classified ad in a local newspaper and gets a job as a nanny with a gentile family in Scotland. Adopting the name Mary Blackchurch and posing as a gentile, she joins the dysfunctional Cavendish family, caring for young Clementina (Florence Hoath) and fending off the advances of teen Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Head of the household is philologist and inventor Charles Cavendish (Tom Wilkinson), and when she gives Charles an assist on his photographic experiments, an affair develops. The music score features Eastern percussion backing singer Ofra Haza. Shown at the 1998 Seattle Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sandra Goldbacher
- Written By
- Sandra Goldbacher
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 31, 1998 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com
If Jane Austen or a Brontė sister were inclined to revolve their tale of forbidden love and parlor room intrigue around a Jewish heroine, The Governess would undoubtedly resemble the result.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A beautifully crafted drama set in England during the 1840s about feminine intuition, creativity, and passion.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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Minnie Driver
as Rosina
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Tom Wilkinson
as Cavendish
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Florence Hoath
as Clementina
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Jonathan Rhys Meyers
as Henry
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Harriet Walter
as Mrs. Cavendish
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Arlene Cockburn
as Lily Milk
- Emma Bird
- Adam Levy
- Bruce Meyers
- Diana Brooks
- Raymond Brody
- Cyril Shaps
- Kendal Cramer
- Ralph Riach
- Joe Bromley
- Stephen Robbins
- Countess Koulinskyi
- Bruce Myers
- Ofra Haza
- Jonathan Rhys-myer
