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The Golden Bowl (2000) Reviews

The Golden Bowl (2000)
Member Rating:  
The distinguished director/producer/writer team of James Ivory, Ismail Merchant, and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala returns to the works of 19th century novelist Henry James in this adaptation of his tale of love and treachery. Wealthy American art collector Adam Verver (Nick Nolte) is traveling Europe with his daughter Maggie (Kate Beckinsale) following the death of his wife. In their travels, Adam and Maggie encounter Mrs. Assingham (Anjelica Huston), an American socialite who enjoys playing matchmaker, whether or not her subjects are interested. She introduces Maggie to Prince Amerigo (Jeremy Northam), a handsome but penniless member of Italian royalty, and after a bit of prodding, they announce their intention to marry. Mrs. Assingham also pushes Adam into a relationship with Charlotte (Uma Thurman), a close friend of Maggie, and they too decide to wed. However, no one else knows that Amerigo and Charlotte were once lovers, who broke off their relationship because he couldn't marry a commoner with no money. Their passion is eventually too strong to resist, and they embark on an adulterous affair, which becomes even more dangerous when Mrs. Assingham learns of it. The Golden Bowl was Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala's third film based on a James novel, following The Europeans (1979) and The Bostonians (1984). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Uma Thurman, Jeremy Northam, (more)
Director(s):
James Ivory
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(14 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Steven H.

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala should turn in her typewriter. This movie was a travesty of James's novel. The acting was uniformly atrocious, and the added scenes (the beginning of the film in renaissance Italy) are bad. The tremendous psychological nuance and monstrousness of the Adam Verver and Maggie (and they are monsters in the novel) has fallen completely by the wayside. Angelica Houston is ridiculous as Mrs. Assingham, and Uma Thurman should not have attempted this film. I am prejudiced by just having reread the novel, which is one of James's last, if not his very last; and it is one of his most difficult. Neither the script nor the acting do the novel justice. Read the novel; don't see this film.

Yes   |   No


Brian C.

I love period pieces, but this one had no payoff. Long, slow, and not very interesting. I have seen much better Ivory/Merchant films. Quality film, but bad story.

Yes   |   No


Catherine D.

Henry James and Edith Wharton were close friends which may have led me to see a resemblance between The Golden Bowl and The Age of Innocence. It seems peculiar by 21st century standards that society could make a fine point of ignoring indelicate situations but no one can accuse Victorian society of not acting to remedy the situations. At the close of the story , one can only imagine what life was like for Charlotte. The story is beautifully filmed, and it is interesting to see the lengths to which characters went to avoid the embarrassment of acknowledging the obvious.

Yes   |   No


David S.

What a great all-star cast and what a boring/slow movie, my date fell asleep watching it. No real romance, no adventure. Just people who want to stay in rich society, some have titles and no money so they marry money and have secret love affairs. Some silly rich American girls marry for a royal title and expect them to be true. Not worth your time.

Yes   |   No


Sally G.

This does capture the 'alone caught in marriage' feeling. And the only 2 who are happy together are father and daughter, both incredibly selfish people. The lovers have to make do with the surreal quality in their lives for others sake. Captures that mid marriage syndrome very well. Uma Thurman actually is quite believable as a very young 20's yr girl who still has some playfulness & spark in her. Every one else has been resigned to their own brand of depression before these marriages. Anjelica Huston is obviously confused about her accent & phrasing but thats OK The person she portrays takes glee in matchmaking, intrigues & gossip and she manages that just fine. Slow with everything set apart like art pieces at an exhibit. Very Henry james but not as claustrophobic as the novel

Yes   |   No


Anquenette C.

I highly enjoyed this movie, loved the scenery, and the acting was wonderful, my boyfriend actually got into it, which is rare for him cause he is not into these types of movies at all. Good movie!

Yes   |   No


Rebecca C.

Very slow moving plot. Boring! Not very believable reaction to the deception. Beautiful scenery but that is all I can give credit.

Yes   |   No


Lois A.

My Blue Ray player couldn't read the disk. Maybe I'll try again.

Yes   |   No


Jerry B.

Should have been a much better movie. The acting was very stilted, except Uma Thurman who was way over the top.

Yes   |   No


Lois W.

This is a so-so movie. I slept through some of it. It's OK if you are stuck with nothing else to watch.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
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    Steven H.

    Ruth Prawer Jhabvala should turn in her typewriter. This movie was a travesty of James's novel. The acting was uniformly atrocious, and the added scenes (the beginning of the film in renaissance Italy) are bad. The tremendous psychological nuance and monstrousness of the Adam Verver and Maggie (and they are monsters in the novel) has fallen completely by the wayside. Angelica Houston is ridiculous as Mrs. Assingham, and Uma Thurman should not have attempted this film. I am prejudiced by just having reread the novel, which is one of James's last, if not his very last; and it is one of his most difficult. Neither the script nor the acting do the novel justice. Read the novel; don't see this film.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Brian C.

    I love period pieces, but this one had no payoff. Long, slow, and not very interesting. I have seen much better Ivory/Merchant films. Quality film, but bad story.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Catherine D.

    Henry James and Edith Wharton were close friends which may have led me to see a resemblance between The Golden Bowl and The Age of Innocence. It seems peculiar by 21st century standards that society could make a fine point of ignoring indelicate situations but no one can accuse Victorian society of not acting to remedy the situations. At the close of the story , one can only imagine what life was like for Charlotte. The story is beautifully filmed, and it is interesting to see the lengths to which characters went to avoid the embarrassment of acknowledging the obvious.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 14 Reviews
       

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