Helena Bonham Carter returns to familiar period territory as one of a pair of sisters in love with the same man, Rickie (Paul Bettany). Unfortunately for Dinah (Bonham Carter), Rickie is already married to Madeleine (Olivia Williams), so she keeps her feelings under wraps. But with the subtle encouragement of Rickie himself, she gives in, and so an illicit, passionate affair begins behind the back of her repressed housewife sister. Based on Rosmond Lehmann's novel The Echoing Grove, this 1930s tale has all the love, heartache and tragedy that a stirring romantic drama requires and, with charismatic performances and sumptuous cinematography, you'd think it would want for nothing. Structurally, however, it's an oddity: the direction of the narrative feels precarious, and sudden time jumps create an emotional distance after a thoroughly engaging first act. Shame.
The Heart Of Me Review
Dinah is in love with her sister's husband Ricky and whilst trying to keep her feelings to herself finds that he may also feel the same way. An illicit affair seems on the cards.
Release Date:
01 Jan 2002
Running Time:
96 minutes
Certificate:
15
Original Title:
Heart Of Me, The
This is a stirring romantic drama with a solid cast, but it's let down by the strange time-leaping structure that creates emotional distance.
Related Articles
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us