Leo Martínez
The Painted Veil is a novel written by W. Somerset Maugham in 1925. It has inspired several film adaptations, including in 1934, 1957, and most recently in 2006. The 2006 film, starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts, explores the dysfunctional relationship between Walter, a shy bacteriologist, and Kitty, a shallow, haughty young woman he persuades to marry him. The film received praise for its beautiful scenery and costumes, and its lead characters, who are more empathetic and likable than those in similar films. However, the marketing campaign for the film faced challenges and criticism for not generating enough attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Novel, Radio Drama, Film |
| Author | W. Somerset Maugham |
| Year of First Publication | 1925 |
| Genre | Drama, Romance |
| Themes | Love, Betrayal, Redemption, Self-discovery, Adultery, Cholera |
| Setting | 1920s, Shanghai, Hong Kong, China |
| Main Characters | Walter Fane, Kitty Garstin |
| Film Adaptation Director | John Curran |
| Film Adaptation Producers | Bob Yari, Mark Gordon, Mark Gill, Jeff Robinov, Sara Colleton |
| Film Adaptation Production Companies | Stratus Film Company, Warner Independent Pictures, Warner Bros. |
| Film Adaptation Screenplay | Ron Nyswaner |
| Film Adaptation Cast | Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Toby Jones, Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Liev Schreiber, Diana Rigg |
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What You'll Learn
The film's marketing and publicity
The Painted Veil, a 2006 drama film, faced several marketing challenges. Firstly, the departure of Stratus executive Mark Gill, who brought the project to Warner Independent Pictures, left the film "exposed" and contributed to its marketing difficulties. The film's marketing campaign was criticised as being inadequate, with individuals associated with the film expressing disappointment in Warner Independent Pictures for not generating enough attention for the film.
The Painted Veil's limited initial release in the United States, along with a perceived lack of marketing budget, further hindered its reach. However, Warner Independent Pictures hosted 80 screenings of the film in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and London, as well as for various Hollywood guilds, indicating some level of promotional effort.
Despite these challenges, the film gradually expanded its showings in the United States and Canada, peaking at 287 theatres in January 2007. The Painted Veil's marketing emphasised its status as an adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's 1925 novel, positioning it as a period piece exploring the complexities of a dysfunctional relationship. The film's tagline, "Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people," highlighted the emotional journey of its lead characters, Walter and Kitty, as they navigate their marriage and a cholera epidemic in colonial China.
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![The Veil [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wYVuVLq0L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The film's lead characters
The Painted Veil is a 2006 drama film directed by John Curran, based on the 1925 novel of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham. The film's lead characters are Walter Fane and Kitty Garstin, played by Edward Norton and Naomi Watts.
Walter is a shy, bookish bacteriologist, and physician who falls in love with Kitty, an outgoing upper-middle-class London socialite. Despite their differences, Walter proposes to Kitty, and she accepts. The couple travels to Shanghai, where Walter works in a government lab. However, their marriage becomes strained, and Walter discovers that Kitty is having an affair. He confronts her and gives her an ultimatum: join him in a village on the mainland dealing with a cholera outbreak or face a humiliating public divorce.
Heartbroken, Kitty decides to accompany Walter to the cholera-infested mainland of China. As Walter dedicates himself to finding a cure for cholera, Kitty begins to see him in a new light and their relationship starts to repair. However, Kitty discovers that she is pregnant and is unsure about the father of the child.
The film explores the journey of the couple as they navigate their dysfunctional relationship and work towards rediscovering each other. Norton expanded the character of Walter Fane in the film, giving him a more enhanced role and allowing him to make peace with Kitty, leading to a tragic and meaningful love story.
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The film's setting
The 2006 film adaptation of The Painted Veil is a period drama set primarily in 1920s Shanghai and the Chinese mainland, during a time of British colonial rule. The film follows the story of the Fanes—Walter, a shy and bookish bacteriologist, and Kitty, a shallow and haughty young woman he becomes infatuated with and eventually marries.
After their wedding, Walter takes Kitty to Shanghai, where he works in a government lab. However, due to circumstances, Walter has to relocate them to a more remote area of mainland China, which is in the throes of a cholera epidemic. It is in this setting that the parallel stories of the film unfold. On the one hand, there is the story of Walter, a doctor trying to get control of the conditions responsible for the epidemic. On the other hand, there is the story of Kitty, the doctor's wife, living in the house of a dead missionary's family, and her journey towards self-discovery and repairing her damaged relationship with Walter.
The film showcases the beautiful scenery and costumes of the period, as well as providing enough background information to educate viewers about the time and place. It also features a cast of colourful characters, including Toby Jones as an unpredictable neighbour, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang as a harsh Chinese colonel, and Diana Rigg as a caring nun.
The Painted Veil is the third film adaptation of the 1925 novel of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham. The novel was first serialised in five issues of Cosmopolitan magazine from November 1924 to March 1925. The title of the novel and film is a reference to Percy Bysshe Shelley's 1824 sonnet, which begins, "Lift not the painted veil which those who live / Call Life".
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The film's costume design
The 2006 film adaptation of The Painted Veil is a period drama set in the 1920s. The costume design reflects the fashion of the era, with a mix of Western and Chinese influences.
Naomi Watts, who plays Kitty, a London socialite who marries the bacteriologist Walter Fane, showcases a range of elegant and sophisticated outfits throughout the film. From glamorous evening gowns to more casual daytime attire, Watts's characters' costumes reflect her character's social status and sense of style. One notable aspect of Watts's costume design is the use of colour and fabric to reflect her character's arc and emotional state. For example, in scenes where Kitty is feeling trapped or restricted by her circumstances, her costumes often feature more structured silhouettes and darker colours, reflecting her emotional state.
Edward Norton, who plays Walter Fane, also had costumes that reflected his character's profession and personality. As a bacteriologist working in a government lab in Shanghai, Walter's costumes often included lab coats and other professional attire. His costumes also evolved throughout the film, reflecting his character's journey and the changing dynamics of his relationship with Kitty.
Overall, the costume design in The Painted Veil played a crucial role in bringing the characters to life and enhancing the film's visual appeal. The attention to detail in the costumes, from the choice of colours and fabrics to the mix of cultural influences, contributed to the overall success of the film's aesthetic and its ability to transport viewers back in time.
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The novel's themes
The novel and film adaptations of The Painted Veil explore a variety of themes. The title itself, a reference to Percy Bysshe Shelley's 1824 sonnet, hints at the idea of illusions and perceptions: the "painted veil" represents the beliefs and assumptions that shape how we view and interact with the world. When these beliefs are challenged or proven wrong, our understanding of reality is disrupted, and we are forced to re-evaluate our assumptions.
Another central theme is the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The characters, particularly Kitty, undergo significant transformations as they confront their true natures and grapple with the complexities of love, betrayal, and redemption. The setting of colonial China and the cholera epidemic also bring to light issues of social differences, colonial rule, and the impact of terminal diseases on individuals and societies.
The complexities of human relationships, particularly marriage, are also explored in The Painted Veil. The story delves into the challenges of a dysfunctional relationship and the journey towards intimacy and mutual understanding. It highlights how geographical distance can be less daunting than emotional distance and how the greatest journeys are often those that bring two people closer together.
Additionally, the novel and film touch on themes of adultery and revenge. Kitty's affair and the subsequent choices presented to her by Walter showcase the impact of infidelity on trust and the potential for revenge or reconciliation. The exploration of these themes contributes to the emotional depth of the story, making it a compelling tale of human emotions and relationships set against the backdrop of colonial-era China.
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Frequently asked questions
"The Painted Veil" is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham, first published in 1925. It has inspired several film adaptations, including in 1934, 1957, and 2006.
"The Painted Veil" is a story of love, betrayal, hatred, revenge, and redemption. It revolves around Kitty Garstin, an upper-middle-class socialite, and Walter Fane, a bacteriologist and physician. The novel explores the complexities of their relationship and their journey towards rediscovering each other.
The 2006 film adaptation of "The Painted Veil" stars Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. Similar to the novel, it revolves around the relationship between Walter and Kitty and their journey towards true intimacy with each other. The film is set during the time of British colonial rule and explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption.
While both the novel and the film adaptations share a similar premise, there may be differences in the plot and character portrayals. For example, in the 2006 film adaptation, Edward Norton expanded the character of Walter Fane and altered the ending to make it less bleak than the novel.
