Complexity of Relationships the Focus in Painted Veil

"a woman married to a scientist in hong kong falls in love with an attractive philanderer. when her husband discovers the affair he insists on her accompanying him upon a dangerous mission to an area of the colony infested by cholera, and on that harsh pilgrimage of retribution she learns the difference between illusion and reality."

this is why naomi watts is billed before edward norton as one can see on the warner independent website, the official poster and the opening credits of the film. this is also why greta barbo was the lead in the 1934 version.

this film should be described from the viewpoint of kitty fane as this is her story, not that of her husband.

regards.

both the w somerset maugham's novel and the adapted script have clearly indicated that this is the story of kitty fane and her journey of self-discovery in china after going through a life-and-death experience resulting from a vengeful act taken upon her by her doctor husband walter. without doubt it is the story of a woman's progression from being spoiled and pampered to coming into a mature understanding of herself and the world around her. kitty was on every page of the book whereas walter stayed in the background most of the times and died 2/3 into it.

in the preface of the first published copy of the book, maugham wrote specifically about its story:


...to be continued

Ms. Annabelle Robertson,

re your film review: the painted veil

first of all, thank you very much for a positive review. i love this film and think it's the best film of 2007. naomi watts and edward norton, especially watts, have given the best oscar-winning performances of the year.

however, there is one thing that is bothering because i think you've got the basics wrong.

with due respect to edward norton as a fine actor and the anchoring producer of this project (watts is a co-producer), i think it's incorrect to descibe the story of this film from the viewpoint of doctor walter fane (norton) as if he were the lead character of the film, and kitty fane (watts) were secondary being his wife (the hollywood stereotyped wife).

...to be continued.