The Governess (1998)

Director:

Sandra Goldbacher

Writer:

Sandra Goldbacher (written by)

Release Date:

31 July 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

When the father of privileged Rosina da Silva violently dies, she decides to pass herself off as a gentile...

Plot Keywords:

Scotland | Synagogue | Period Piece | Cholera | Photography

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Minnie Driver	...	Rosina da Silva
Tom Wilkinson	...	Mr. Charles Cavendish
Harriet Walter	...	Mrs. Cavendish
Florence Hoath	...	Clementina Cavendish
Bruce Myers	...	Rosina's Father
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Henry Cavendish
Arlene Cockburn	...	Lily Milk, the Maid
Emma Bird	...	Rebecca
Adam Levy	...	Benjamin
Countess Koulinskyi	...	Aunt Sofka (as The Countess Koulinskyi)
Diana Brooks	...	Rosina's Mother
Raymond Brody	...	Litnoff
Cyril Shaps	...	Doctor
Kendal Cramer	...	Young Rosina
Ralph Riach	...	Mr. Hewlett

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Spain:13 | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Brodick Castle, Brodick, Arran, North Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Company:

Arts Council of England

Goofs:

Factual errors: The date of copyright given at the end of the film is MCMXVII (1917) and not MCMXCVII (1997).

Quotes:

Henry Cavendish: I stink. I shall bathe in scent for you.
Mary Blackchurch: Don't do it for me. Do it for yourself.

Photographs

The myth of the governess in English literature, seems to have been the inspiration for film maker Sandra Goldbacher, who makes an auspicious debut with this feature. Never had a first time director been so blessed to be working with a winning team behind her. The glorious cinematography by Ashley Rowe, the music by Ed Shearmur, to name just two, make "The Governess" a satisfying movie to watch.

We are taken to the England of the 1830s. The story shows us a Jewish family of means. Rosina, the oldest daughter is a sophisticated young woman who seems to thrive in that society. When her father is killed, Rosina's world goes to pieces. She decides to seek employment as a governess for a young girl in the Island of Skye, in the Hebrides. The trip Rosina undertakes in primitive transport makes her think whether she had made the right choice, or not. All she sees is the lush green of the English countryside around her.

Her employers are a Scotish couple of means. Charles Cavendish is a man of science working in his own kind of photography. His wife, seems to be a woman who is bored out of her mind. The young charge, Clementina, doesn't like the idea of being bossed by the new governess. Rosina has changed her name and passes herself as a Christian by the name of Mary Blackchurch. There is also a young son, Henry, who is away at school.

Mary, who has received an education in London, surprises Mr. Cavendish and soon becomes his assistant in his experiments. The admiration Charles feels toward the young woman soon turns into a passion that is reciprocated by Mary, who we are led to believe has not had any sexual experience before. This newly found passion in Charles soon gets the best of him as he feels it makes him neglect his interest, which has been helped immensely by Mary's innate intelligence.

In a surprising turn of events, Mary decides that since she can't have Charles, she must leave the island and return to London, not before presenting Mrs. Cavendish with the naked picture of her husband she took, which appears to have been the excuse for the break in their illicit relationship. At the end, Rosina is back to London where she is seen practicing the new technique she learned by working with Charles in the island.

Minnie Driver totally dominates the film. Her Rosina/Mary is perhaps her best role in her career. Some comments point to the fact that Ms. Driver seems older to play this woman, but in our humble opinion, she seems to have an understanding of the character and makes it come alive. Tom Wilkinson, a great actor that probably hasn't been recognized as he should, does an outstanding job in capturing Charles. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers plays Henry the son that comes back from school and ends up falling in love for the governess. Harriel Walter and Florence Hoath play Mrs. Cavendish and Clementina well.

The film is a triumph for a novel director. Ms. Goldbacher clearly shows to be a voice to be reckoned with in the English cinema.