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Invisible Woman, The (12A)

Biography, Drama, Romance

At the height of his career, Charles Dickens meets a younger woman who becomes his secret lover until his death.


The critical consensus

Ralph Fiennes’ second directorial effort is impressive in its evocation of restrained emotion.

***(*)(*)Anna Rogers, The List, 17/01/2014

As bloodless as Coriolanus was vital. What the Dickens went wrong?

***(*)(*)Siobhan Synnot, The Scotsman, 03/02/2014

One for lovers of ravishing craft, although the elusive emotional engagement is frustrating.

****(*)Angie Errigo, Empire Online, 03/02/2014

In this slow-paced drama it's hard to care about anyone other than Dickens' put-upon wife Catherine.

**(*)(*)(*)Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express, 05/02/2014

Chasing Coriolanus with another multi-tasking success, Ralph Fiennes crafts a moving account of a secret affair – with Felicity Jones riding high as the lady in question.

****(*)Philip Kemp, Total Film, 03/02/2014

Fiennes’ abusive romance makes visible the hidden hypocrisies of the Victorian age.

****(*)Anton Bitel, Little White Lies, 06/02/2014

Worthy but ponderous.

***(*)(*)Brian Viner, Daily Mail, 06/02/2014

The affair between Dickens and Nelly almost certainly happened but details about it are skimpy and open to conjecture – one reason, perhaps, why the storytelling here feels strangely tentative.

***(*)(*)Geoffrey MacNab, The Independent, 06/02/2014

This is an engrossing drama, with excellent performances and tremendous design by Maria Djurkovic.

****(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 06/02/2014

Accordingly, Fiennes keeps his direction restrained, concentrating on small moments rather than grand gestures to powerful effect.

***(*)(*)Mark Kermode, The Observer, 09/02/2014

Against the strength of these women, Dickens comes across as a bit of a coward, and as such Fiennes has put an intriguing spin of the old macho notion that artistic genius comes at a price.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 08/02/2014


Features about Invisible Woman, The (12A)

Ralph Fiennes on Dickens and The Invisible Woman

Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 27/01/2014

Ralph Fiennes on his role The Invisible Woman

Claire Black, The Scotsman, 08/02/2014

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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