MartinHafer "The Painted Veil" is a remake of a Greta Garbo film of the same name and both are based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham...though the 2006 version sticks closer to the original story. The theme is redemption and reminded me in some ways of Joseph Conrad's "Lord Jim".Kitty (Naomi Watts) is rich and spoiled. Her mother is upset that Kitty is now 25 and should have married and settled down long ago...and the family pressures her to marry Dr. Fane (Edward Norton). The marriage is not initially a happy one. Kitty is spoiled and selfish and soon embarks on an affair with Mr. Townsend (Liev Schreiber). The husband finds out and gives her an ultimatum--either divorce him and marry Townsend or accompany him to a rural part of China to help with a Cholera outbreak. Considering Townsend never had any intention of marrying Kitty, her choice is simple and she follows her husband.The marriage is very cold at this point. However, over time you see that it's not just because of Kitty's infidelity but because the Doctor is emotionally constricted and has great difficulty connecting with his wife. Over time, they slowly begin to rebuild trust...and then fate strikes.The film is lovely, as unlike the original, this one was filmed in China. Add to that some terrific direction, lovely music and terrific acting. The only things I should note is that the film is a bit slow and the ending rather depressing...but if you are a person who is willing to give the film time and don't insist on a Hollywood ending, you're in for a treat.

Filipe Neto This film is the result of a partnership between the US and China. The script is a cheap romance, in which a futile girl marries without love and betrays her husband, a doctor who truly loves her. From there, they live a marriage that only exists formally and things get worse when they go to a secluded hamlet in China, where an epidemic of cholera broke out. The country's political situation will also cause problems, as China, recently transformed into a republic with the deposition of the last emperor, becomes a troubled country, with internal conflicts and a huge aversion to foreigners.The plot adapts to the cinema an absolutely dry and heartless novel, but it does so in a way that's sometimes a bit melodramatic. I understand the intention: to increase the dramatic effect, the writer sweetened the story and altered it a bit, to make it more digestible. That's good but, just like when making a cake, we have to be careful not to overdo the amount of sugar. Unfortunately, sometimes it abuses the sugar but, at the same time, the epidemic and the misery of the people help to bring the film to a more realistic background and cut through this excessive sweetness. Thus, everything becomes more balanced, harmonious and pleasant. The political part of the plot, however, seem to be totally out of context and never fit into the overall story. I say this because this didn't make any difference in the story itself. It's totally dispensable. What happened here? Did the writer decided not to develop this subplot or Chinese CP demand that the film speak of this issue in a sort of political-historical revisionism? If the later was the true, it was something that did not really interest. China, however it tries to look like a westernized country, will only be truly modern with free and multiparty elections, a free press and freedom of opinion. None of these things exist behind the polluted and ultra-modern image that China likes to show us, and there is no smoke curtain strong enough for the Chinese dictatorship to hide that.Edward Norton and Naomi Watts are two well-known and talented actors. The two have already seen their names on the list of Oscar-nominated actors. They worked very well but Norton's character is more able of captivating public's affection, while she will have a long atonement ahead. Anyway, Watts was able to show the moral and psychological evolution of her character, and that was difficult even for a good actress. The remaining cast, unfortunately, is remarkably insignificant. Toby Jones is good enough but has little to do, as can Diana Rigg and Liev Schreiber. Better than them are the scenarios and cinematography. China has shown in this film some magnificent landscapes, which the film has been able to explore. The soundtrack has some excellent piano pieces of a mournful and sad tone, which harmonizes with the mists, disease and love affairs that are the core of the story itself.

scorpiowriter Watched this last night on Netflix. At first, was annoyed by Naomi Watt's heavy Australian accent bleeding through her British character's, along with Ed Norton's very weak accent.Once they went to China, everything changed. The scenery (filmed in Guilin, Guangxiprovince) is MAGNIFICENT. Interesting to watch the characters go fromloathing one another to a sort of reunion. Definitely worth a watch.Love the scenery, costumes, music, and melancholy lighting. Would haveliked to see more of Waddington.Jeez, I have to add more lines to my review. Most people have the attention span of a goldfish, IMDb! What else is there to say...wish I saw more from the Chinese character's points of view, so they weren't just stereotypes , i.e. Chinese Peasant #1. Would have liked to known more about the experiences of the French nuns--what gives them pleasure? How about seeing the local foods? There was a humorous scene where Dr. Fane meets up with a Chinese warlord--reminded me of the Supreme Leader of North Korea. Good movie, definitely if you can get though the dreary English scenes--where I wish more character development had occurred--you will love it. And Lieve Schreiber makes an excellent DOUCHEBAG character!

beresfordjd We found a DVD in our holiday apartment and decided to watch it one evening. Edward Norton , Naomi Watts and Toby Jones are just marvellous in this period piece. It is set in China and is exquisitely shot bringing to life the landscape as we see in old prints and the like. It is delightful and harrowing by turns and it makes the viewer become involved in the main characters lives in a way that few films manage. It is a film about a passionate love, infidelity, forgiveness and reconciliation set against a virulent cholera epidemic. The premise does not sound promising but The Painted Veil delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended.