The Wings of the Dove is a British adaptation of Henry James' novel – made by Renaissance Films, Kenneth Branagh's company. The story, which is set in 1910, is pretty simple really, Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) has class but no money. Unfortunately the man she's passionately in love with journalist Merton Densher (Linus Roache) has no money either. Kate is living with her wealthy aunt Maud (Charlotte Rampling) on the understanding that she will marry up not down. And then into their lives comes an American heiress, Millie, Alison Elliot. Kate and Millie form a close friendship and then Kate learns two important facts – Millie is very ill, possibly dying, and Millie fancies Merton.
I've never seen Helena Bonham Carter in better form
Director Iain Softely and writer Hossein Amini have created a beautifully ambiguous story of friendship and love and passion. I understand – because I haven't read the original – that they've made Kate more likeable, you don't get a sense of evil in her, instead there's just an astute desperation. The sense of time and place is cleverly realised through costumes and sets, how can you go wrong with Venice as the setting for half the film – and the performances are outstanding.
I've never seen Helena Bonham Carter in better form, Alison Elliot, she of the underwhelming Spitfire Grill, is exquisite and Linus Roache of Priest fame, is just wonderful as Merton, a role that was originally intended for Ralph Fiennes. But what I really loved was the ambiguity – you're not really sure of the motivations of these characters because they're not sure themselves. It's a fine line the filmmakers have walked – it may not be pure Henry James but The Wings of the Dove is still tremendously satisfying.
