The theme for this film seems to be the search for passion.  The venue is 1938 London and the form in which the story is set is the theater and specifically the acting discipline.  (Whether acting is a discipline or an art form is another issue.)  The story is fictional and is based upon a work by Somerset Maugham called The Theater.  Reading Of Human Bondage, I decided long ago I didn't like Maugham and this plot line just confirms my decision.  Furthermore, this storyline suffers from a lack of understanding about women characters.  Also it was set during a time of active aggression by Germany including the annexation of Austria and threats to Czechoslovakia with no mention of unrest in England & Europe, even though some of the characters traveled the European continent.

The style of the film is much like a play and of course the challenge for the actor playing the protagonist, Julia, is to be an actor, acting like a stage actress.  Annette Bening carries this off nicely and the film is worthwhile because of Bening's subtle portrayal and the great work of her supporting actors.  In defense of the plot, it does end with an engaging twist that is not quite an O Henry ending, but it's close.  What was missing for me was any kind of rising action during the course of the plot points.  The characters muddled around for two thirds of the film with the primary purpose of setting the stage for the ending.

The film also has several good scenes in addition to the ending.  The use of Michael Gambon to represent the internal dialogue instilled in Julia by her first acting manager was quite effective.  In one of the first exchanges, he tells her (i.e. she thinks), 'the theater is the only reality'.  The confusion between theater and reality becomes a sub-theme and provides a couple of interesting scenes. 

Jeremy Irons plays Julia's husband, Shaun Evans plays Tom, her young American lover and Stevenson is particularly good as Evie, Julia's personal assistant.

Reviewed April 2, 2005

MPAA: Rated R for some sexuality.