This story begins at the start of a loveless marriage of convenience, placing us in the marital bed as the obvious lack of connection between the bride and groom, creates a painful awkwardness to which we become witness.
From here, the film plays with the well examined theme of repression and denial which was so prevalent in the social mores of it's chosen period, however the resolution of this keenly felt atmosphere from the early scenes allows for far more of its opposite emotions than many other films do, replacing those uncomfortable exchanges with a highly contrasted sense of release and liberation.
The characters were entirely believable and very much of their time, and although the journey each one takes is an unusual one I was entirely carried along on those journeys with each of them. I am not usually a fan of period dramas, I felt this film to have message that is entirely relevant for our times, and it in no way came across as though it was looking back nostalgically as an escapist reaction to current concerns.
The theme of the redeeming power of love may not be unusual, however the sense of this creative energy comes bursting through in the direction of this film, and illustrates without qualification quite how transformational the combination of truth and love really can be.
I highly recommend this film, it is a real testament to the value of a good story vivaciously presented. For both it's inspirational and entertainment value, I rate this movie as a 10/10.
