Video Review

The Governess (1999)

Reviewed by Troy Patterson | Feb 19, 1999
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Feb 16, 1999; Movie Rated: R; Genres: Drama, Romance; With: Minnie Driver, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Tom Wilkinson; Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics

At once snappy and stately, Sandra Goldbacher's painterly first film is set in 1840s Scotland and stars Driver as a Sephardic Jew who hides her identity to become governess to a Catholic family's daughter. And when she also takes care of the photographer father (Shakespeare in Love's Wilkinson) and sulky son (Rhys Meyers, of Velvet Goldmine), sexy entanglements ensue. Frisky, sensitive Driver allures as usual and — Farrelly brothers to the contrary and Happiness notwithstanding — The Governess features the year's wittiest semen joke. B+

Originally posted Feb 19, 1999 Published in issue #472-473 Feb 19, 1999 Order article reprints
You Might Also Like

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining
Advertisement

Today's Most Popular

  1. PopWatch This Week's Cover: 'The Vampire Diaries' stars talk about the red-hot Damon-Elena-Stefan triangle
  2. Inside TV 'The Vampire Diaries': Talk tonight's shocking twist, and find out what's next from producer Julie Plec
  3. TV Recap 'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Love Is in the ER
  4. TV Recap 'The Vampire Diaries' recap: Cruel Intentions
  5. Photo Gallery: Grammys 2012 Grammys 2012: Who will/should win