Cousin Bette (1997)

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Acclaimed theater director Des McAnuff made his feature-film directorial debut with this period comedy-drama adapted from Honore de Balzac's novel La Cousine Bette (1846) about a jealous and bitter spinster who attempts to destroy the romance between her niece and a Polish sculptor. In Paris of the 1840s, spinster Bette Fisher (Jessica Lange) steps in to "take care" of her relatives after a decline in the Hulot family fortunes, mainly due to wastrel Hector Hulot (Hugh Laurie). After penniless sculptor Wenceslas Steinbach (Aden Young) marries Hector's daughter, Hortense (Kelly Macdonald), Bette schemes and plots, drawing Hector's mistress, music-hall star Jenny Cadine (Elisabeth Shue), into her web by arranging for wealthy Cesar Crevel (Bob Hoskins) to become Jenny's benefactor. Filmed at locations in and around Bordeaux. Shown at the 1998 Seattle Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Starring:: Jessica Lange, Elisabeth Shue, (more)

Director(s):: Des McAnuff

Theatrical MPAA Rating:: R

Format(s):: DVD
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Synopsis of Cousin Bette

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:: 110 mins

Complete Cast of Cousin Bette

Jessica Lange - Bette Fisher
Bob Hoskins - Cesar Crevel
Kelly MacDonald - Hortense Hulot
Geraldine Chaplin - Adeline Hulot
John Sessions - Musical Director

Elisabeth Shue - Jenny Cadine
Hugh Laurie - Baron Hector Hulot
Aden Young - Count Wenceslas Steinbach
Toby Stephens - Victorin Hulot
Laura Fraser - Mariette

Director(s):: Des McAnuff

Writer(s):: Lynn Siefert, Susan Tarr

Producer(s):: Sarah Radclyffe

Theatrical MPAA Rating:: R(Adult Humor, Adult Situations, Sexual Situations)

Warning: This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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	Regina D.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

Stick to the old (1971) BBC version: this is a stinker of an interpretation of Honore de Balzac's novel, from casting (Jessica Lange is supposed to be a dried up old spinster, and Hugh Laurie is supposed to be a fat, old libertine), to plot (the Baroness Hulot, a central character important to Bette's revenge, is killed off in the first scene; instead of being a coy upper class lady, Mme Marneff is a torch singer whose specialty is showing off her naked butt), and other unbelieveable, illogical twists), to dialogue, this version is simply awful. Even if you've never read the book, it doesn't make any sense.

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