Tinsel & Tine Highlights:

MY COUSIN RACHEL

By Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

I’ve mentioned many times that my all time favorite movie is Hitchcock’s REBECCA (click for T&T post) based on a novel by Daphne du Maurier so it’s odd that I have yet to see the original 1952 My Cousin Rachel also based upon a du Maurier story, starring Olivia de Havilland (miscast, according to du Maurier) and a very young Richard Burton. I’ll have to rectify that soon; however, I had been looking forward to this remake starring Rachel Weisz & Sam Clafin (Me Before You) and I’m happy to say this version of the Gothic film did not disappoint.

The story is told from the perspective of Philip (Clafin) a young man from a wealthy family who’s parents died while he was a baby. Taken in by a close cousin, Ambrose, who loved him like a son, allowed Philip’s life to continue on as if tragedy had never struck. That is until Ambrose took ill and was advised to retire to Spain and allow the sunny climate to improve his health. It would seem it did for a time, not only the sun, but also the company of a distant cousin, Rachel (Weisz) who brings about a renewed vigor in Ambrose, as revealed to Philip in letters – so much so, Ambrose, the confirmed bachelor, writes that he has married said Rachel, and is quite content. But a short time later Ambrose’s letters become disturbing and frantic, he believes Rachel is trying to kill him and spend all of his money. He’s afraid of her and urges Philip to come to Spain to save him. Unfortunately, Philip arrives too late to rescue Ambrose or confront Rachel, all he finds in Spain is a smug Rainaldi (Pierfrancesco Favino) Rachel’s lawyer and confidant, who unceremoniously informs Philip that Ambrose died of a brain tumor. Philip believes not a word of this story and vows to make Rachel pay for her crimes against Ambrose.

Fox Searchlight Pictures My Cousin Rachel Review

Director Roger Michell’s authentic, beautifully shot, BBC quality period film then allows for a lot of build up to the arrival of Rachel; who is not at all what Philip expects, her guileless charm puts him under her spell and immediately dispels his need for revenge, not only allowing him to believe poor Cousin Ambrose’s death may well have been from a brain tumor, but also becomes hell bent and determined to relinquish his inheritance.

Bottom Line: Rachel Weisz can rock some widow’s garb, it’s not easy to look fetching in black lace mantillas. And she’s perfect for the role, as Weisz is not so much beautiful as she is fetching and beguiling and a commanding presence. I also love the subtle ghostly elements in My Cousin Rachel, there’s definitely scenes that could point to Ambrose trying to warn Philip from the grave. The movie delivers a sense of foreboding and although I never for once trusted Rachel, I spoke with another movie-goer in the ladies room, who felt the complete opposite, so I think the movie successfully keeps you guessing even after it ends.

T & T’s LAMB (movie bloggers association) Score: 4 outta 5

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