Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Ploydsge just watch it!

BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

coco-121 No silly, shallow writing, gratuitous violence and sex, over-written villains, or overacted characters will be found in this film. This is a deeply moving story of love and devotion, enhanced by exquisite photography, and told over the background of bleak, 1830s English winter landscapes. Intelligently written and produced, the performers do an outstanding job of portraying characters caught in circumstances that prohibit all pleasures except the love of their child and a commitment to her well-being. A slight bit of nudity, but tastefully done and congruous to the story. It's a movie I can (and will) watch many times.

nov201913 Just by chance, I selected this film at a time of night when I'm ready for sleep. I watched it once.... then, again but fell asleep thru part of it. Two days later, I watched it again (wide awake this time) and that's when I fell in love with it. The first time.... I admit, it was the titillating story... the child was secondary. The second time.... I wanted to watch Sophie Marceau's delivery of her character. The third time.... I realized that Stephen Dillane's delivery of his character was so nuanced, I missed it the first 2 times. He is what makes this story so wonderful.Because I am a big fan of British film, I wondered why I was not familiar with Stephen Dillane's name. After some research, I found that I have seen him in some character roles, but nowhere is he as handsome as in this film. Sophie Marceau is so accomplished that together, some of their scenes unfold as a dance.This film is so delicate, with exquisite timing and phrases, that I can truly say it is as well-done as Campion's The Piano. Elisabeth's shout when she opens the doors to the lake. Godwin's face from recognition to omigod to sweet smile when he sees Elisabeth again. Godwin's explanation that a month with Elisabeth in the house would be an eternity. Their dance at the door when Louisa is screaming to be let out. And many more.If you love stories of heart-felt deep love, this is it. Just be sure to watch it closely and more than once.

Lea Can someone explain to me how the comatose wife lived for more than 10 years without eating!? Did I miss something somewhere? Another plot hole -- the main character manages to get pregnant after 3 nights together, but once they start having an affair 7 years later, she miraculously doesn't get pregnant. It was okay as romances went, but I really want movies to be logical in some way and this plot hole really unnerved me while watching the film. This could have been a really good period piece but it seemed to get schmaltzier the closer it got to the end. Other people said it was predictable -- which it was. And boy was that daughter pretty wise for a 7 year old, especially one isolated in a manor house her entire life. It ended up looking like a made for TV movie by the end.

hopkins-9 This movie was a surprise and a joy - it may be my all-time favorite. The movie is sure sexy but that was not its big appeal to me. It is really about child-raising - handling spoiled brats, reaching them, turning them around, teaching good values. It is also about parenthood - the instincts that drive us, love for our own children. It is about marriage - the loyalty we owe our spouse, the sort of person we might marry and be happy with. It it also about education - how a child learns to read and the need to be educated. But what I found most interesting was how the big advances in relationships happened when the mother/daughter and then the mother/father were set free of normal behavioral constraints... this only happened when they had a fire going in the fireplace (firelight) and when time stops still and what happens never really happened. People were freed to express themselves honestly and that is when the relationships changed. Perhaps Las Vegas's new advertising theme, What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas, was inspired by this movie... but I don't think Las Vegas is looking for growth in human relationships! This movie is very satisfying, and it is happy... leaving the viewer upbeat about family and life.