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Blu-ray Review: “My Cousin Rachel” Is A Familiar Yet Rather Moody Tale

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A young Englishman plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.

“My Cousin Rachel” is a 2017 romantic costume drama and revenge mystery, based on the previously adapted novel by late author Dame Daphne du Maurier (REBECCA, JAMAICA INN), adapted by screenwriter and director Roger Michell (“Changing Lanes,” “Hyde Park on Hudson”), produced by Kevin Loader (“In the Loop,” “Nowhere Boy”), shot by Mike Elay (“Parade’s End,” 2009’s “Grey Gardens”), scored by Rael Jones (TV’s “Harlots,” “White Lie”) and edited by Kristina Hetherington (“Trespass Against Us,” “Parade’s End”) for Fox Searchlight Pictures. It stars Sam Claflin (The “Hunger Games” films, “Me Before You”), Holliday Grainger (“The Borgias,” “Cinderella”), Iain Glen (“Tomb Raider,” “Game of Thrones”), Rachel Weisz (“The Constant Gardener,” “The Mummy”) as the title character. The film focuses on a quiet gentleman, Philip Kendall, (Claflin) who is drawn to his cousin, Rachel Ashley (Weisz), and afterward rather intent on seeking justice against her when he has strong reason to believe that she’s just murdered his male guardian, Nick (Iain Glen).

The film starts off, much like both the 1952 and 1983 versions, and even the 1951 novel itself, being rather focused yet its usual self-indulgent self and while most of the surprises are kept for the very end, and as other viewers have stated, not very hard to predict, it blends well for fans of the cast and those seeking a moody style. As the usual with costume dramas, there are times where you wish to speed up the processes quite a bit but that won’t do you any favors as this is one of several one-time watch films and the two leads are here to chew scenery like it’s their birthdays. Director/adapter Roger Michell, who is no stranger to romance let alone period movies, is to be commended for telling cinematographer Mike Elay and the gaffers to incorporate every type of element they can grab (i.e. fire, smoke, simple dark lighting) to continually channel the grit and keep the cat-and-mouse intrigue high between both lead stars.

The film may not be finding a home anytime soon per say, along with the likes of the various adaptations of “Pride & Prejudice” and “Jane Eyre” but then again it was in an entirely different ballpark as every version prior to this one were sleeper hits for both the cinemas and TV respectively. I can honestly say that this one stands out of all three versions due to the style just being somewhat more gripping for today’s audiences while still not fully appealing, especially if you’re like me, where you’ve found the premise and shocking segments to be more interesting than the actual progression of the story itself. This version does no worse and never falters in the acting department. Even the singular supporting roles are well realized and the original soundtrack manages to not go for melodramatic or overdone clichéd suspense. Instead, we’re just treated to damp darkness, with potential despair and lots of constant, yet appropriately confused mood, all while not affecting the deliberate dark tone.

If you’ve seen these type of films and shows before, you won’t be surprised but you won’t be angered or offended either. The main standout other than Rachel’s performance as villain Rachel (how appropriate!) and the well-lit, shadowy style, is seeing lead actor Claflin finally rid himself of being in just another heartthrob role and show ambition to unleash more of these laid-back serious roles. He is not just another pretty boy actor and this film reaffirms that claim entirely.

Available on Blu-ray & DVD Tuesday, August 29th

 

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