The Wings of the Dove poster & wallpaper

Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roache, Alison Elliott

Queen of the costume drama Helena Bonham Carter finally got a chance to loosen her corset a bit with this exquisitely mounted (Sandy Powell's costumes were nominated for an Academy Award) romantic dra...( read more  read more... )ma based on Henry James's classic novel. Set in turn-of-the-century London and Venice, Wings of the Dove is a stately departure--more PBS than MTV--for Iain Softley, director of Hackers and the birth-of-the-Beatles biopic Backbeat. But there's enough romantic intrigue to perhaps fuel a week's worth of daytime TV talk shows: My Lover Seduced a Dying Heiress for Her Money.

Bonham Carter, who won several critics association honors for her performance (she was nominated for a Golden Globe and Oscar as well) stars as Kate, who is engaged in a secret affair with Merton (Linus Roache), a journalist whose poor financial standing makes marriage impossible. Kate's manipulative aunt (Charlotte Rampling) threatens to disown her unless she marries the more suitable Lord Mark (Alex Jennings). Opportunity--admittedly sordid--arrives in the form of Millie (Alison Elliott), an American heiress whom Kate befriends. When Kate learns that Millie is dying, she suggests to Merton that he seduce her to make her last days happy, and ensuring that Millie will leave Merton her money when she dies. Merton reluctantly agrees, just as Kate begins to have second thoughts that threaten to sabotage the scheme.

Flixster Users

79% liked it

4,453 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

27 critics

R, 103 min.

Directed by: Iain Softley

Release Date: November 7, 1997

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: September 14, 1999

Stats: 204 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites
report incorrect info

Photos

Helena Bonham Carter in The Wings of the Dove Alison Elliott as Millie Theale, Linus Roache as Merton Densher and Helena Bonham Carter as Kate Croy in The Wings of the Dove (1997) Alison Elliott as Millie Theale, Linus Roache as Merton Densher and Helena Bonham Carter as Kate Croy in The Wings of the Dove (1997) Alison Elliott as Millie Theale, Helena Bonham Carter as Kate Croy and Linus Roache as Merton Densher in The Wings of the Dove (1997) The Wings of the Dove The Wings of the Dove
Upload a Photo |

View All The Wings of the Dove Photos (6)

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (204)

  • hypathio7
    June 30, 2009
    hypathio7
    I was intrigued by the dynamics between the three main characters. Carter and Roache as the passionate young lovers from different social classes, while they definitely have a messed-up relationship, are enthralling to watch. The acting, colors, cinematography and dialog do som...( read more)ehow seem more alive than other films set in this period by Merchant and Ivory.
  • binky013
    November 17, 2006
    binky013
    Love and money: No one twists and turns the two together any better than Henry James. He really is a kind of TV soap opera precursor. It must be, at least in part, due to his real fascination with and passion for opera.

    I have to say that I was surprised to learn the costum

    ...( read more)es were nominated for an Academy Award. My initial gut reaction was that the clothes looked 1) too modern for the turn of the century, and 2) like a kind of mix-and-match hodgepodge of older and newer. But what do I know about clothes?

    I think Charlotte Rampling's is the most memorable performance. But then I always like the darker characters : )

    As an aside, from an old English major, James is a challenging read. If you are inspired to read Wings because of this movie -- which would be great : ) -- don't be discouraged if the reading is a tough go. Don't give up! To get used to his style, maybe you could check out his short stories, or if you know The Turn of the Screw, probably his most popular work, give that a shot.
  • bbcfloridabound
    July 28, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    This is another outstanding movie based on a novel written by Henry James. It takes place in the early 1900's and you have everything in this that?s found in a modern day soap opera. The main character is Kate (Helena Bonham Carter), a young woman who is dependant on the whims of...( read more) a rich aunt for her survival. Kate is a person that plays with other peoples life?s and feelings, She makes friends with a American who is dying, and this American is very rich, so she ploys her boyfriend to fall in love with her for her Money. A great twist of story. It will be enjoy by most. 4 Stars.
  • DrStrangeblog
    January 21, 2009
    DrStrangeblog
    Decent if unsatisfying Victorian romance/drama, which isn't my genre of choice by a longshot. Biggest assets are Helena BC's eyes and Venice, both are absolutely gorgeous in this film.
  • johnattridge
    April 9, 2008
    johnattridge
    "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when at first we practice to deceive", or as the old proverb goes. 'The Wings of the Dove' illustrates such a lesson in deception in the best possible way, not because the villains get their deserved comeuppance nor because they necessarily lose a...( read more)nything in the end, but because the director captures, in almost a single scene, the complete and utter pointlessness of their task, the futility in which they have undertaken it, and the sadness in the epiphany that it was never truly necessary. Helena Bonham Carter gives a remarkable performance as Kate, an upper class women who falls for poor journalist Merton, only to encourage him to seduce dying, rich orphan Millie, and thus romantic drama and intrigue ensues. What propel the film are the three main performances; the use of dialogue, body language and eye contact are cleverly realised to raise tension and hint at possible motives or desires, and the pauses, the things left unsaid demonstrate the intelligence and subtelty of the screenplay. Ambiguity is constantly rife, and we are forever figuring out who knows what and who is planning to do what to who. It sounds a mess in words, but on screen it fascinates: Helena Bonham Carter's cold stares, her suggestive tone and sudden urgency and regret justify a well deserved Oscar nomination. She exudes coldness but hides a vulnerable interior, and in the final scene she realises that through her greed she has lost everything. 'The Wings of the Dove' is a sensuous tale of passion and forbidden love, with authentic production values and an absorbing, infectious atmosphere that gives the final lesson the emotional impact of a film that knows what it's about.
  • Soulonsale
    October 29, 2009
    Soulonsale
    This extremely beautiful and visually pleasing period Drama based on the Classic novel by Henry James, has an extremely contemporary story, about three lovers. Without any doubt Helena Bonham Carter steals the show with her moving performance as the money grabbing scheme Kate.
  • gregory1781
    June 30, 2009
    gregory1781
    Has all the prerequisites of a period piece, beautiful sets and costumes, good adapted script and nice direction. However it is its three leads that steals the show with its brittle and cunning plot. Tragic and sad but you can't shake the feeling that they kinda asked for it. Sti...( read more)ll a very beautiful film with Helena Bonham Carter doing a very fine job.
  • marmsnmax
    March 3, 2009
    marmsnmax
    beautifully filmed... very moving film
  • Soundsofmadness
    October 17, 2008
    Soundsofmadness
    No thankyou - Not interested
  • cleighs
    July 13, 2008
    cleighs
    The guy in this is elegant and irresistable and seems to be in something that might be considered the "woman's" position vis-a-vis Helen Bonham Carter.

View All The Wings of the Dove Reviews

Critic Reviews

No recent reviews.

View more The Wings of the Dove reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • dappycaptn
    May 24, 2007
    dappycaptn
    acting superb,direction brilliant,the movie magnificent. need i say more.
Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

All Rotten Tomatoes content is used under license from Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh, and the Tomatometer are the trademarks of Incfusion Corporation, d/b/a Rotten Tomatoes, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, Inc.

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Eternal: Kiss of the Mummy
    The Eternal: Kiss of the Mummy (0%)
  • Up at the Villa
    Up at the Villa (0%)
  • The Portrait of a Lady
    The Portrait of a Lady (100%)
  • Impromptu
    Impromptu (0%)

More Movies like The Wings of the Dove

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Wings of the ... : Watch Free on TV

The Wings of the Dove Trivia

  • This actress has appeared in the following movies: Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Room with a View and The Wings of the Dove - who is she?   Answer »
  • Fight club: Ultimately, Helena Bonham Carter was cast in the role, based on her performance in The Wings of the Dove.  Answer »
More The Wings of the Dove Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Wings of the Dove. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Wings of the Dove to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?