My Cousin Rachel review: Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Enduring Love) directs Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin in this new adaption of Daphne du Maurier’s 1950’s novel.
My Cousin Rachel review by Andrew Gaudion, June 2017.
My Cousin Rachel review
‘Is she? Isn’t she? Did she? Didn’t she? These are the opening lines to set the tone for the ambiguous nature of Roger Michell’s adaption of Daphne du Maurier’s 1950’s novel. The ambiguity as to the true nature and intention of the eponymous cousin Rachel (here played by Rachel Weisz) undoubtedly stirs interest from the off, and for anyone with an interest in du Maurier, this new adaption does offer a gorgeous painterly depiction of the text. But it too often fumbles along with the mystery, resulting in a new version that struggles to keep the candle aflame when standing in the company of both the original text and the 1952 adaption starring Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton.
Set on the shores of Cornwall, My Cousin Rachel follows young Philip (Sam Claflin), who has been raised by his loving cousin Ambrose (also Claflin). When Ambrose is taken ill and heads to Florence to recover, news comes back to Philip that he has married their beautiful cousin Rachel (Weisz). When Ambrose succumbs to his illness, a series of letters from him to Philip suggest that Rachel had been poisoning him, driving him to his grave. When Rachel decides to come to Cornwall to visit Philip, it is his intention to exact revenge. But upon her arrival, he soon becomes enamoured, falling to her captivating charm.
My Cousin Rachel review
The mystery that drives My Cousin Rachel is whether or not she drove Ambrose to his death, and whether or not she is planning on doing the same to Philip. After a very rushed opening to set the scene for Philip’s initial plotting, Michell does well to prolong the first meeting with Rachel, making her a very ominous figure who looms large over much of the first act. When she does enter, Rachel, both character and Weisz enthral, doing a great deal to gain Philip’s and our affection, all the while maintaining a shade of curiosity.
The energy within this initial build-up unfortunately cannot be maintained. Where the mystery should deepen, the film is often left languishing in a familial drama that isn’t that exciting, and where it has the chance to delve more into the realm of erotic thriller, it conducts the proceedings in a blunted and passionless fashion. The opportunity to allow this adaption to feel more daring and dangerous are often squandered in favour of tame and fairly un-involving sleuthing.
What remains a constant throughout is the sumptuous cinematography and the high calibre of performances. Cinematographer Mike Eley, who has done equalling stunning work in the likes of The Selfish Giant and Touching the Void, works with Michell to make sure that every frame is filled with gorgeous detail. Be it an intimate moment in a field or traversing the perilous cliffs of Cornwall, the film is never lacking in handsome cinematography, making it a feast for the eyes if not for the mind.
My Cousin Rachel review
Weisz is, of course, the stand-out in an impressive cast, able to convey so much more ambiguity in one glance then the story itself seems keen to apply. She effortlessly moves from a charming demeanour to something a little more treacherous often within the same scene, doing a great deal to keep some blood pumping through the veins of the mystery. Claflin works particularly well whenever he is sharing the screen with Weisz, while Holliday Grainger is a bright spot amongst the rest of the supporting cast.
Where this adaptation of My Cousin Rachel truly takes a tumble is in amounting its climax. Very suddenly it seems to be in a bit of a panic to wrap up proceedings, despite the fact that it has a very brief run time as it is. It is hard not to think that a more measured and patient approach would have been more effective, allowing for a more devastating climax, one which would allow more time for rumination on exactly what has just unfolded. It weakens the potency of the ambiguity and doesn’t have the lasting effect on the mind that you expect it wants you to have. It ends up being a question not so much of ‘did she, didn’t she’, more of ‘do we really care?’
My Cousin Rachel review by Andrew Gaudion, June 2017.
My Cousin Rachel is released in UK cinemas on Friday 9th June 2017.
