At the height of his career, Charles Dickens meets a younger woman who becomes his secret lover until his death.
Ralph Fiennes’ second directorial effort is impressive in its evocation of restrained emotion.
As bloodless as Coriolanus was vital. What the Dickens went wrong?
One for lovers of ravishing craft, although the elusive emotional engagement is frustrating.
In this slow-paced drama it's hard to care about anyone other than Dickens' put-upon wife Catherine.
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.
Fiennes’ abusive romance makes visible the hidden hypocrisies of the Victorian age.
Worthy but ponderous.
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.
This is an engrossing drama, with excellent performances and tremendous design by Maria Djurkovic.
Accordingly, Fiennes keeps his direction restrained, concentrating on small moments rather than grand gestures to powerful effect.
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.
Ralph Fiennes on Dickens and The Invisible Woman
Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes on his role The Invisible Woman
General release. Check local listings for show times.