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Minnie Driver, Tom Wilkinson, Florence Hoath, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Harriet Walter ... see more see more... , Arlene Cockburn , Emma Bird , Adam Levy , Bruce Meyers , Diana Brooks , Raymond Brody , Cyril Shaps , Kendal Cramer , Ralph Riach , Joe Bromley , Stephen Robbins , Countess Koulinskyi , Bruce Myers , Ofra Haza

London TV commercials director Sandra Goldbacher made her feature directorial debut with this early Victorian England drama filmed on the Isle of Arran. In London, Rosina Da Silva (Minnie Driver) is s... read more read more...haken by the murder of her father, a wealthy Jewish merchant. To deal with family debts, Rosina places a classified ad in a local newspaper and gets a job as a nanny with a gentile family in Scotland. Adopting the name Mary Blackchurch and posing as a gentile, she joins the dysfunctional Cavendish family, caring for young Clementina (Florence Hoath) and fending off the advances of teen Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Head of the household is philologist and inventor Charles Cavendish (Tom Wilkinson), and when she gives Charles an assist on his photographic experiments, an affair develops. The music score features Eastern percussion backing singer Ofra Haza. Shown at the 1998 Seattle Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

47% liked it

1,835 ratings

Critics

65% liked it

34 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Sandra Goldbacher

Release Date: July 31, 1998

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DVD Release Date: February 16, 1999

Stats: 96 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (96)

  • moonrivers
    September 28, 2011
    moonrivers
    A London bred jewess takes the job of governess for a gentile scientist's family on the Isle of Skye. Can Victorian scandal be far behind? Interesting tale with excellent performances, particularly by Driver and Wilkinson.
  • cleighs
    December 28, 2008
    cleighs
    Except for 'Bend It Like Beckham,' Jonathan Rhys Meyers is always prettier than his love interest/female lead.
  • parldro42082
    April 24, 2007
    parldro42082
    I just saw this movie the other day for the first time and really enjoyed it. Jonathan Rhys Myers was very sweet but a little volatile for me.

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Critic Reviews

Jordan Hiller
July 15, 2009
Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com

If Jane Austen or a Brontė sister were inclined to revolve their tale of forbidden love and parlor room intrigue around a Jewish heroine, The Governess would undoubtedly resemble the result. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 3, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A beautifully crafted drama set in England during the 1840s about feminine intuition, creativity, and passion. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A heavy going but at times embroiling drama. Full Review

Peter Henne
January 1, 2000
Peter Henne, Film Journal International

Goldbacher, in her first feature, has tied together many ideas about photography, dreams and love, and presented them both fairly and exquisitely. Full Review

James Sanford
January 1, 2000
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

for sheer visual elegance, 'The Governess' has few equals, and the magnificence of its imagery more than compensates for its somewhat overheated story. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Ken Eisner
March 26, 2009
Ken Eisner, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

April 25, 2003
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Governess Trivia

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