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Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roache, Alison Elliott, Elizabeth McGovern, Charlotte Rampling ... see more see more... , Alex Jennings , Michael Gambon

Based on the 1902 Henry James novel of the same name, The Wings of the Dove is set in 1910. After the death of her mother, Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) has become a ward of her wealthy Aunt Maude ... read more read more...(Charlotte Rampling), who is paying her dissipated father (Michael Gambon) to stay out of Kate's life. Maude wants Kate not to repeat Kate's mother's mistake and marry someone who is a commoner, and Maude arranges a meeting between Kate and Lord Mark (Alex Jennings), a high-class gentleman who can escort her to the right places. But Kate is more interested in Merton Densher (Linus Roache), a penniless journalist. A beautiful but terminally ill American heiress, Millie Theale (Alison Elliott), arrives on the scene and befriends Kate. Kate notices Millie's obvious affection for the handsome Merton, and she arranges an elaborate scheme to hook up the two of them so that Merton can collect Millie's money after her death. But because of her own jealousy, Kate repeatedly sabotages her own arrangement. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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76% liked it

5,234 ratings

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86% liked it

29 critics

R, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Iain Softley

Release Date: November 7, 1997

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DVD Release Date: September 14, 1999

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Stats: 248 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (248)

  • itsjustme2004
    November 17, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    Another very nice movie for romantic women of any age. Entertaining, and well put together, but sad. Helena Bonham is just lovely in this.
  • bbcfloridabound
    July 28, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    This is another outstanding movie based on a novel written by Henry James. It takes place in the early 1900's and you have everything in this that?s found in a modern day soap opera. The main character is Kate (Helena Bonham Carter), a young woman who is dependant on the whims of... read more a rich aunt for her survival. Kate is a person that plays with other peoples life?s and feelings, She makes friends with a American who is dying, and this American is very rich, so she ploys her boyfriend to fall in love with her for her Money. A great twist of story. It will be enjoy by most. 4 Stars.
  • binky013
    November 17, 2006
    binky013
    Love and money: No one twists and turns the two together any better than Henry James. He really is a kind of TV soap opera precursor. It must be, at least in part, due to his real fascination with and passion for opera.

    I have to say that I was surprised to learn the costum

    ... read morees were nominated for an Academy Award. My initial gut reaction was that the clothes looked 1) too modern for the turn of the century, and 2) like a kind of mix-and-match hodgepodge of older and newer. But what do I know about clothes?

    I think Charlotte Rampling's is the most memorable performance. But then I always like the darker characters : )

    As an aside, from an old English major, James is a challenging read. If you are inspired to read Wings because of this movie -- which would be great : ) -- don't be discouraged if the reading is a tough go. Don't give up! To get used to his style, maybe you could check out his short stories, or if you know The Turn of the Screw, probably his most popular work, give that a shot.
  • hypathio7
    June 30, 2009
    hypathio7
    I was intrigued by the dynamics between the three main characters. Carter and Roache as the passionate young lovers from different social classes, while they definitely have a messed-up relationship, are enthralling to watch. The acting, colors, cinematography and dialog do som... read moreehow seem more alive than other films set in this period by Merchant and Ivory.
  • fb20312798
    March 26, 2011
    fb20312798
    Well acted, but the film is a such a brief adaptation of the novel we really don't get a chance to get to know the characters well enough to understand their decisions or to feel for them when they are hurt.
  • streamofconsciousness
    January 30, 2010
    streamofconsciousness
    A beautiful, beautiful film. I love Helena Bonham Carter in this film in particular. She plays this most difficult role in a way that we empathize and ache for her even though she isn't a particularly "good" person or isn't doing the "right" thing (ah yes moral ambiguity at its b... read moreest.) I think this is especially noticable as Bonham's character, Kate is contrasted with Millie, an almost unbelievably generous soul, an ideal woman in the eyes of society.
    Setting and costumes- just gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
    Only downside is that I feel depressed after watching this movie- yet I go back again and again. If I catch a glimpse of it flipping through the channels I stop dead and become absorbed once again.
  • Lemure
    June 5, 2010
    Lemure
    Me and costume dramas have never got on. I always find them paper-thin and very la-de-da. Limp-wristed.
    Anyway, this one's the same. Couple are in love, but class and money keep them apart. So they befriend a dying heiress to get her money so they can be together. At the end they... read more have sex for about 30 seconds, and then discuss the meaning of life or something.
    Critics love it, the academy loved it. I'd rather watch a Matthew Perry "comedy".
  • DrStrangeblog
    January 21, 2009
    DrStrangeblog
    Decent if unsatisfying Victorian romance/drama, which isn't my genre of choice by a longshot. Biggest assets are Helena BC's eyes and Venice, both are absolutely gorgeous in this film.
  • johnattridge
    April 9, 2008
    johnattridge
    "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when at first we practice to deceive", or as the old proverb goes. 'The Wings of the Dove' illustrates such a lesson in deception in the best possible way, not because the villains get their deserved comeuppance nor because they necessarily lose a... read morenything in the end, but because the director captures, in almost a single scene, the complete and utter pointlessness of their task, the futility in which they have undertaken it, and the sadness in the epiphany that it was never truly necessary. Helena Bonham Carter gives a remarkable performance as Kate, an upper class women who falls for poor journalist Merton, only to encourage him to seduce dying, rich orphan Millie, and thus romantic drama and intrigue ensues. What propel the film are the three main performances; the use of dialogue, body language and eye contact are cleverly realised to raise tension and hint at possible motives or desires, and the pauses, the things left unsaid demonstrate the intelligence and subtelty of the screenplay. Ambiguity is constantly rife, and we are forever figuring out who knows what and who is planning to do what to who. It sounds a mess in words, but on screen it fascinates: Helena Bonham Carter's cold stares, her suggestive tone and sudden urgency and regret justify a well deserved Oscar nomination. She exudes coldness but hides a vulnerable interior, and in the final scene she realises that through her greed she has lost everything. 'The Wings of the Dove' is a sensuous tale of passion and forbidden love, with authentic production values and an absorbing, infectious atmosphere that gives the final lesson the emotional impact of a film that knows what it's about.
  • MagnusMagica
    October 2, 2007
    MagnusMagica
    A wonderful tragic love story.
    Incredible performences by Helena Bonham Carter and Linus Roache and most of all Alison Elliott. Great costume piece with beautiful photography.

View All The Wings of the Dove Reviews

Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

[An] exquisitely mounted romantic gem.

Jeffrey Overstreet
January 15, 2005
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer

The problem is this: We're given no reason to care about these two yearning hearts. Our only evidence of their love is a garish display of hormones. Full Review

Betty Jo Tucker
May 31, 2003
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Visually stunning? Absolutely! But I found the film's plodding pace relentlessly annoying. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 1, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

This compelling drama reveals the havoc wrought by those who try to control other people's lives. Full Review

Carlo Cavagna
January 1, 2000
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com

Nineteenth-century mores conflict with twentieth-century passions Full Review

Bruce Feld
January 1, 2000
Bruce Feld, Film Journal International

This may be the most accessible James adaptation to date, as well as among the most beautiful. Full Review

James Sanford
January 1, 2000
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

almost a sort of turn-of-the-century 'Indecent Proposal'... But though the eloquent screenplay brings to the surface the eroticism James only hinted at, it doesn't neglect the fascinating psychology o... Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 1, 2000
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Bonham Carter never allows the audience to lose the feeling that Kate truly does care about Milly--it's just that she cares about herself even more. Full Review

Widgett Walls
January 1, 2000
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

Simply a film that did not rub me at all, much less the wrong way. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Wings of the Dove Trivia

  • This actress has appeared in the following movies: Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Room with a View and The Wings of the Dove - who is she?   Answer »
  • Fight club: Ultimately, Helena Bonham Carter was cast in the role, based on her performance in The Wings of the Dove.  Answer »
  • Tagline. A couple with everything but money. An heiress with everything but love. A temptation no one could resist.   Answer »
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