I couldn’t have chosen a more poignant moment in life to watch ‘The Painted Veil’. Very profound. I also find it hard not to find this picture so moving.
Described in a nutshell… Woman must flee the nest. Rich intelligent young Batchelor proposes. Despite celibacy and hopes to be ‘in love’ one day, she caves in. They marry and move to 1920s Shanghai for work. Husband realises Wife doesn’t love him so they don't ‘have relations’ (Husband’s a nice guy). Having found her ‘in relations’ with another man (James Bond), Husband offers Wife an INGENIOUS and DELICIOUS ultimatum. Husband will divorce and shame Wife, naming Wife’s affair unless Wife accompanies him to the midst of a cholera epidemic for research and work in medicine. Alternatively, Wife will be allowed to quietly divorce Husband, if she can persuade James Bond to similarly divorce HIS wife and marry her – afterall they are in love!!!… As expected, James Bond isn’t interested. Wife moves away with clever Husband facing possible death.
After seeing and proving Husband’s heart wrenching and unrelentless loyalty and love for Wife and his self-sacrificial care for those in need, Wife falls in love with Husband FINALLY (because he’s a nice guy). Some time after a night of passion, Husband falls ill, only to find Wife is preggers (possibly with James Bond’s child!!!). Husband dies (because that’s how everything always is). Widow lives a miserable life of regret and sadness admiring late Husband and dwelling on her selfish ways that consumed them both. Widow together with late Husband’s son meet James Bond on the street. James Bond is ignored (that’s what he deserves).
Despite my mother hissing at the film, I was left with a lot to think about… Why is it that we don’t naturally fall for the good guy no matter how lovely he is? James Bond is a dick - he doesn’t care about anyone really (words are cheap and fun is fleeting). Pure beautiful love may shine through in the end but only after it has been tried and destroyed by the selfish dregs of the day. After it is lost and ruined by nastiness, nothing can compare and it is mourned back. When a flower is picked and the petals are pulled out, can anything revive and return its beauty?
There is nothing like sitting on a rug in front of the fire, being brought tea. But wallowing is dangerous.
Edward Norton never disappoints as an actor and Satie's Gnossienne No.1 as the theme tune couldn't have been more appropriate.
