The Invisible Woman
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Felicity Jones, Joanna Scanlon, Kristin Scott Thomas
Director: Ralph Fiennes
Rating: 4/5
Ralph Fiennes is back in the director's chair as he tackles another adaptation. He kicked off his filmmaking career with Coriolanus, and now he has tackled The Invisible Woman.
The Invisible Woman is based on the novel by Claire Tomalin, and follows the story of Charles Dickens' secret love affair with Nelly Ternin.
Nelly, a happily married mother and school teacher, is haunted by her past. Her memories, provoked by remorse and guilt, take us back in time to follow the story of her relationship with Charles Dickens with whom she discovered an exciting but fragile complicity.
Dickens - famous, controlling, and emotionally isolated within his success - falls for Nelly, who comes from a family of actors. The theatre is a vital arena for Dickens - a brilliant amateur actor - a man more emotionally coherent in his work, or on stage, than in life.
As Nelly becomes the focus of Dickens' passion and his muse, for both of them secrecy is the price, and for Nelly a life of 'invisibility'.
Fiennes really did grab everyone's attention back in 2012, with a fantastic directorial debut, and now he has followed that up with another terrific movie.
Fiennes has delivered a movie that has been lovingly crafted; it really is a beautiful and elegant looking movie.
Felicity Jones gives a wonderful performance as Nelly; she really is an actress to keep an eye on over the next couple of years.
From start to finish, this is a captivating film, as Nelly tries to fight for her sense of self and independence in a male dominated world.
She is a woman who is constrained by the society of the time, and yet there is a steely strength to her that allows her to endure and survive.
Jones and Fiennes make the perfect team, and there is something genuine and warm about the chemistry between them.
There is a liveliness and energy to Fiennes' portrayal of Dickens, and he really is a character that you cannot help but like.
They both deliver incredibly emotional performances; while they do love each other, they can never truly be together.
The Invisible Woman is a movie that is as much about pain and regret as it is about love, and Abi Morgan has adapted the book in such a graceful and powerful way.
Jones really does drive this movie as a woman who makes a choice, and then lives with it. This movie really does belong to this young actress. Her performance is dynamic and moving, she really does shine.
The Invisible Woman is a truly compelling period drama that is shows off the acting and directing strengths of the entire cast.
The Invisible Woman is released in London 7th February & nationwide on 21st.