Wings of the Dove

Pros: Helena Bonham Carter. 'Nuf said.
Cons: Convoluted plot will zoom right past the average film goer.

Hollywood has been on a Henry James kick for the last few years, snapping up these wieghty tomes on the loves, lies and scandals of European aristocracy and the unfortunate Americans that get all tangled up in them and turning them into some pretty fine...

Pros: Helena Bonham Carter, acting, screenplay, cinematography, costumes, rain
Cons: It’s 'not for everyone' type of a drama

Wings of the Dove is adapted from Henry James’ novel; that sends us to the beginning of the 20th century [1910 to be exact], London, aristocracy—cream of the European society. Indeed it is just the scenery for the battle of passions and human...

Pros: complexity, beauty, truth
Cons: major-league downer

Henry James ain't one of my favorite novelists, but this adaptation of a later work hits the bull's eye for passion, intrigue and emotional and moral complexity. It's beautifully shot in London and Venice, and Helena B-C gets better looking with age, but...

Pros: cinematography, costumes, story doesn't drag
Cons: bland and familiar characters

The Wings of the Dove is based on the turn of the 19th century novel by Henry James. Costume epic veteran Helena Bonham Carter stars as Kate Croy. She is a woman without fortune who is in love with idealistic but impoverished journalist Merton...

Pros: Complex story. Complex characters. Beautiful photography.
Cons: Obligatory ending.

There is a scene in Wings of the Dove where characters float silently through the watery streets of Venice, on their way to a festival. Suddenly, there is a large bang, and the scene cuts to their arrival at the festival, and a woman laughs and...

Pros: I can't think of any
Cons: They actually made this film

I don't know why they always nominate these pitiful movies for awards. I can't believe this was nominated for anything. The previews for this looked like it would be a good "chick flick". Well, I happen to be a chick and I hated it.
...

Pros: Dark, rich, simple...
Cons: A tad on the melodramatic side.

Centering around a desperate British couple at the end of the 19th century, the two attempt to dupe a dying American heiress out of her millions. It is a very dark plot idea, but one that leads to a true exploration into depravity.

Though...