Wings of the Dove (1997)
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86% of critics liked it
(29 reviews) -
75% of users liked it
(5,358 ratings)
Based on the 1902 Henry James novel of the same name, The Wings of the Dove is set in 1910. After the death of her mother, Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) has become a ward of her wealthy Aunt Maude (Charlotte Rampling), who is paying her dissipated father (Michael Gambon) to stay out of Kate's… More Based on the 1902 Henry James novel of the same name, The Wings of the Dove is set in 1910. After the death of her mother, Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) has become a ward of her wealthy Aunt Maude (Charlotte Rampling), who is paying her dissipated father (Michael Gambon) to stay out of Kate's life. Maude wants Kate not to repeat Kate's mother's mistake and marry someone who is a commoner, and Maude arranges a meeting between Kate and Lord Mark (Alex Jennings), a high-class gentleman who can escort her to the right places. But Kate is more interested in Merton Densher (Linus Roache), a penniless journalist. A beautiful but terminally ill American heiress, Millie Theale (Alison Elliott), arrives on the scene and befriends Kate. Kate notices Millie's obvious affection for the handsome Merton, and she arranges an elaborate scheme to hook up the two of them so that Merton can collect Millie's money after her death. But because of her own jealousy, Kate repeatedly sabotages her own arrangement. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- Iain Softley
- Written By
- Hossein Amini
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- In Theaters
- Nov 7, 1997 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
The problem is this: We're given no reason to care about these two yearning hearts. Our only evidence of their love is a garish display of hormones.
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Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Visually stunning? Absolutely! But I found the film's plodding pace relentlessly annoying.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This compelling drama reveals the havoc wrought by those who try to control other people's lives.
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Bruce Feld, Film Journal International
This may be the most accessible James adaptation to date, as well as among the most beautiful.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Helena Bonham Carter
as Kate Croy
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Linus Roache
as Merton Densher
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Alison Elliott
as Millie Theale
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Elizabeth McGovern
as Susan
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Charlotte Rampling
as Aunt Maud
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Alex Jennings
as Lord Mark
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Michael Gambon
as Kate's father