Saturday, 10 June 2017



I'm not sure when the big Friday night out turned into the early show at the cinema, followed by a whizz around Waitrose on the way home. Last night I dithered over going into town to hear a talk by Tracy Chevalier and realised I couldn't be bothered ... oh dear! 40 minutes to get there, 40 minutes talk, 40 minutes to get back. Sorry, Tracy - it was Cousin Rachel in the suburbs, but I did feel a bit guilty!
Sadly, the film fell a bit flat. Rachel Weisz is very good as the widowed Rachel but somehow there's no tension - remember how gripping the book was? - and I'd agree with the reviewer who called it one rung above an interesting failure. 6/10 from me. I'd have probably enjoyed it more if I'd gone to the Curzon over the road but I had free tickets for the Odeon. Why are Odeons always so grotty?
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6 comments:

  1. Vintage Reading10 June 2017 at 22:45

    Rachel Weisz looks exactly as I imagine Cousin Rachel to look, but the previews I've seen of the film didn't inspire me to go and see it. Du Maurier had a wonderful gift for literary page-turners!

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  2. Mary10 June 2017 at 23:13

    She does look wonderful, Nicola - but it's a very average costume drama. On the plus side, I saw the trailer for Victoria and Abdul and Judi Dench looks terrific.

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  3. Sue11 June 2017 at 10:13

    I'm still not as quick off the blocks as you, Mary. I saw this yesterday with a friend. We agreed that no visual cliché was left unturned and insufficient menace, but overall still pleased we had seen it. Hardly a ringing endorsement on reflection, but RW does look perfect in the role.

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  4. Mary11 June 2017 at 19:11

    It needed a hint of danger, didn't it, Sue? Still, I quite enjoyed it, too - but I'd been hoping it would catch more of the spirit of the book.

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  5. Cosy Books15 June 2017 at 19:54

    I spent most of my time reading the book wanting to slap someone. Needless to say, the movie was never going to have me racing to a cinema. You've saved me from being curious, Mary.

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  6. Mary15 June 2017 at 21:23

    I'd have thought this was right up your street, Darlene! All the ingredients, Cornish scenery, lovely NT houses! never mind: Churchill is out this week, I saw it ages ago at an early preview and I'm sure you'd love it. Should still be on by the time you get over here.

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