The Painted Veil

O realizador infelizmente não nos permite tocar nos personagens e sucumbir às emoções da história na primeira metade, ele é tão imaturo como a sua protagonista feminina. No entanto, esta deficiência diminui com o tempo, e à medida que a personagem de Naomi Watts amadurece, um drama íntimo convincente sobre a aproximação de duas pessoas diferentes no fim do mundo começa a florescer do ecrã. É também uma pena o final abreviado, que merecia uma emoção mais profunda. Mas, fundamentalmente, este é um belo cartão postal cinematográfico de lugares exóticos, embora de fácil de esquecer e que não atinge da epicidade da elite de Hollywood de grande orçamento, mas intrinsecamente de bom coração e com o toque de autor. O toque de autor semelhante ao que têm trabalhos recentes do australiano Phillip Noyce (Rabbit-Proof Fence). Naomi serve bem, mas a cabeça e o motor do filme é (mais uma vez) Edward Norton - embora ele esteja no ecrã consideravelmente menos do que ela. P.S. Outra bela banda sonora do estreante de Hollywood Alexandre Desplat. (17/05/2007)

There is no point in going into this remake unless you are familiar with the original. Yes, this is a great melodrama from the 1920s that beautifully combines acting opportunities (which Watts and Norton take advantage of to no end) with a charming landscape. There’s a great sense of period realism, costumes, and sets. There is also no shortage of real-life drama set against the backdrop of the main dramatic arc within the internal strife of a young marriage. But why is it so great today and why does such a film have red colors? It's simple - this is the return of a quality genre that had disappeared and it is welcome. In the days of Garbo's reign on the silver screen, melodramas were plentiful to choose from, but today they are a scarce commodity and that’s truly unfortunate. (17/08/2009)

Do we love a person for their virtues or vices? Sometimes we realize that only on the way back, where we should have always been. I would like to take this journey together with the main characters. With a pounding heart and accelerated breath. I was prevented by a slightly tired script and also Curran's lacking bravery in directing. Beautiful images with perfect actors only bring temporary joy without a lasting impact. (16/09/2007)

The Painted Veil immediately has several unarguable pluses. Primarily the chemistry between Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. Even the atmosphere of the setting, the camerawork and the music are exceptionally well-done. It has just two downsides that go hand in hand and drag the entire picture into average land. It’s sentimental and predictable. It is really annoying when the storytelling drags on too long, plus you know exactly what, when and how things are going to happen, before it happens. Add to that the knowledge that you have to survive another hour and a half until the end. It is even more disappointing due to the fact that the acting is very high standard and there are a few scenes that work excellently. A shame that there are so few of them. (03/11/2007)

In many comments, I read how predictable this film is... Well, isn't Titanic predictable? Or the story of Romeo and Juliet? Everyone knows them by heart. However, for some reason, the play "Romeo and Juliet" is considered an exceptionally powerful love story, even though it has nothing to do with love in reality. Infatuation and love are completely different concepts. Love is longing, compassion, and a whole range of other feelings that infatuation lacks. The Painted Veil is a beautiful story about how real love emerges. Tragic, unfulfilled, and highly romantic, brilliantly cast and acted. It is the typical case of perfectly working chemistry between the actors in the lead roles. I have no objections to the supporting characters and their performers either. A very likable experience. Overall impression: 90%. (22/04/2012)