The Wings of the Dove (1997)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Cynthia S

  
  Another very nice movie for romantic women of any age. Entertaining, and well put together, but sad. Helena Bonham is just lovely in this.

• Bruce B

  
  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… More
  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 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.

• Lanning :

  
  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. <p>I have to say that I was surprised to learn the… More
  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. <p>I have to say that I was surprised to learn the costumes 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? <p> I think Charlotte Rampling's is the most memorable performance. But then I always like the darker characters : ) <p> As an aside, from an old English major, James is a challenging read. If you are inspired to read <i>Wings</i> 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 <i>The Turn of the Screw</i>, probably his most popular work, give that a shot.

• Byron B

  
  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 somehow… More
  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 somehow seem more alive than other films set in this period by Merchant and Ivory.

• Alec B

  
  Well acted, but the film is a such a brief adaptation of the novel we really don't get a chance to get to know the characters well enough to understand their decisions or to feel for them when they are hurt.

• Laura C

  
  A beautiful, beautiful film. I love Helena Bonham Carter in this film in particular. She plays this most difficult role in a way that we empathize and ache for her even though she isn't a particularly "good" person or isn't doing the "right" thing (ah yes… More
  A beautiful, beautiful film. I love Helena Bonham Carter in this film in particular. She plays this most difficult role in a way that we empathize and ache for her even though she isn't a particularly "good" person or isn't doing the "right" thing (ah yes moral ambiguity at its best.) I think this is especially noticable as Bonham's character, Kate is contrasted with Millie, an almost unbelievably generous soul, an ideal woman in the eyes of society. Setting and costumes- just gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Only downside is that I feel depressed after watching this movie- yet I go back again and again. If I catch a glimpse of it flipping through the channels I stop dead and become absorbed once again.

• Marcus W

  
  Me and costume dramas have never got on. I always find them paper-thin and very la-de-da. Limp-wristed. Anyway, this one's the same. Couple are in love, but class and money keep them apart. So they befriend a dying heiress to get her money so they can be together. At the end they… More
  Me and costume dramas have never got on. I always find them paper-thin and very la-de-da. Limp-wristed. Anyway, this one's the same. Couple are in love, but class and money keep them apart. So they befriend a dying heiress to get her money so they can be together. At the end they have sex for about 30 seconds, and then discuss the meaning of life or something. Critics love it, the academy loved it. I'd rather watch a Matthew Perry "comedy".

• Doctor S

  
  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.

• John A

  
  "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… More
  "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 anything 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.

• Magnus X

  
  A wonderful tragic love story. Incredible performences by Helena Bonham Carter and Linus Roache and most of all Alison Elliott. Great costume piece with beautiful photography.

• FanGirl B

  
  A lot sexier then I expected (in a good way). I didn't think I would like this movie but I really did.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings