An excellent production, but a story that leaves you cold

Rating: 6/10 (17 November 1999)

The "look" of this film is incredible--every detail, from the clothes, the music, the locations, the cinematography, the acting, and Anthony Minghella's direction is of the highest order.
Then why didn't I like this film? I believe my unsophisticated neighbor gave me my answer when she said the film boiled down to "a fancier '9 1/2 weeks'." She was right!
In all, I was unmoved by the romance between the Count and Katharine, so much of the film was lost on me. I did, however, fall completely in love with the selfless charm of Juliette Binoche's Hana.