The Wings of the Dove

The Wings of the Dove (1997) directed by Iian Softley stars Helena Bonham Carter as Kate Croy, Linus Roache as Merton Densher and Alison Elliott as Millie Theale. These are the three central characters around which the story spins. In the supporting cast you will find Michael Gambon as Lionel Croy, Kate’s father, and Charlotte Rampling as Kate’s Aunt Maude.

Set in the early 1900th century, the story takes us from London, to the English country side to a ridiculously pretty Venice, complete with gondolas and rainy piazzas. Kate is trapped in an impossible situation, peniless and subject to the questionable mercy of her wealthy relatives she has to basically pimp herself out to any weathly aunt who can help support her. It was not uncommon for unwed poorer relatives to attach themselves to the household of some aunt or other who was willing to take them on, usually in some token situation as companion or governess. Or, perhaps hoping to be married off to some rich friend of the family.

Kate is in love with the working class journalist Merton who does not seem to understand why this lack of money should weigh so heavily on Kate’s mind. At one point in the story we are introduced to Kate’s opium smoking father (played by Gambon) who expostulated on why his own marriage failed – blaming it on the lack of money, rather than his habit.

Into this mix of interpersonal politics and money comes the young, wealthy and very pretty American girl Millie. She has money. Lots of money. And a short life expectency. Kate quickly befriends the girl, and on learning that Millie has a crush on Merton tries to arrange matters so that Merton and Millie to start a relationship, fully expecting Millie to die and leave all her money to Merton.

It’s your basic femme fatale menage a trois. The story based on the novel by the same name by Henry James. Because of the skill and passion with which the actors take on their characters this is one of those movies that deliver what so many costume pieces only promise. Beautiful sets, costume and attention to detail cannot help a movie tha merely goes through the motions losing its main purpose, which has to be to devliver a story. Helena Bonham Carter is briliant as the young lady in desperate straights, walled in on all sides by her family’s history and her own fears. Even if her motives can be said to be driven by love, if you are feeling charitable, her actions are all unbelievably cynical. She is a gold digger and a social parasite, but she walks a razor’s edge in gaining the viewer’s sympathy. Linus Roache, in the role of Merton Dencher, is so obviously under Kate’s spell that he is wiling to go along with her plan to some extent.

The beauty of this particular film is that nothing is simple. There are no good guys or bad guys in the usual sense, everyone’s motives are explored and shown to have more than one point of origin. It makes it all the more heartbreaking that Kate realises her biggest worry is that Merton will fall in love in earnest and then watch him do just that. Kate overplays her hand, but the punishment is blatantly obvious, even to herself. She sets her plan in motion knowing what she has to risk and still thinking it has to be worth it. Merton lets himself be persuaded, using a little emotional blackmail along the way. Subtly played and well thought out this story is both beautiful and sad and it manages to take it all the way without resorting to simple clichées. The inevitability of fate, and the consequences of your actions – that is what we are left with at the end of the movie. No easy answers are given.

And on top of that it is absolutely gorgeous.

MULE