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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated My Cousin Rachel (2017) in Movies

Nov 12, 2017 (Updated Nov 12, 2017)  
My Cousin Rachel (2017)
My Cousin Rachel (2017)
2017 | Drama, Romance
Wonderful acting (0 more)
Slightly frustrated at how quickly he becomes infatuated (0 more)
Gothic Victorian suspense surrounding the mysterious Rachel
This film is no doubt atmospheric and evocative, rather than old fashioned Victorian horror, all about the widow of recently deceased cousin who died under mysterious circumstances.

Sam Claflin plays the vengeful nephew, who plots to find out the truth about Rachel, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.

Daphne Du Maurier was an excellent writer of course and many of her novels have been transferred to both the big and small screen to much acclaim. As it is, this is a film of intrigue and intent that is not quite what it at first seems. The outcome is not mind-blowing and you don't have to be Hercule Poirot to follow the plot or work things out. However, the 'did she didn't she murder' question is left rather open-ended and down to the interpretation/thoughts of the viewer. While it is not in the same league as Rebecca, the director makes a decent effort in creating an uneasy ambience.

It is a fascinating film which delves (in a shallow way) into the workings of the human mind and its psychological ways and how suspicion can play havoc in relationships.
  
The Anarchists Club
The Anarchists Club
Alex Reeve | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Family secrets and murder in Victorian London.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I think that this one exceeds the last in every way. Leo has become a much more 3 dimensional character here as we get to know him more. I love his inner voice, and while I don’t enjoy his inner turmoil, it’s written so well that you can’t help but feel for him. In fact all of the characters are written with care and understanding, so much so that you understand what drives them to act as they do.
This story is based around the murder of a woman in an Anarchists Club. Leo is implicated in the murder, and so feels compelled to try and solve the case. The murdered woman had children, and Leo for the first time, feels parental obligation and affection for them. Rosie, who was in the last book, works with Leo to solve this murder - she’s a great strong female character. A woman who runs a business and brings up her children on her own.
This is a dark story of poverty, family secrets and sibling rivalry in Victorian England. Reeve captures the atmosphere of London and the times so well. I love these stories and I’ll be looking out for more from Leo and Rosie.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for another great choice!
  
Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge
Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge
Lizzie Pook | 2024 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maude Horton’s younger sister, Constance, has run away aboard a ship bound for the Arctic and the Northwest Passage. She is killed on the voyage, and Maude is determined to have revenge on the man that she’s sure is responsible for. Constance had kept a diary on board - and everything Maude needs to know is within its pages, even though the admiralty reports that the death was an accident.

Maude is an assistant to her Apothecary grandfather, and she will use whatever it takes to get the truth out of the expedition’s scientist. He is conducting public hanging tours, and Maude joins one of them. I had no idea that there was such a thing! How macabre! Very Victorian, though.

Constance’s diary entries were fascinating - what an experience it must have been, how dangerous (especially for Constance!) and completely different from anything she had ever experienced. Victorian London is described so well, and the hardships of the Arctic, equally so.

Maude’s dedication to her sister is admirable, and it’s refreshing to read about a young woman with so much skill and knowledge. The danger that Maude puts herself in, had me on the edge of my seat!

I listened to this on Xigxag audiobooks, and the narration was excellent. The story was brought to life by the narrator, Genevieve Gaunt.

An adventure-filled, gripping story!
  
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds
H.G. Wells | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.7 (22 Ratings)
Book Rating
HG Wells seminal tale of alien invasion, that has laid the template for many an alien invasion movie afterwards (and I'm paraphrasing here):

"There's no war between us and them, any more than there is between us and ants"

Victorian set, and told mainly through the eyes of a journalist who witnesses all the events, from the arrival of the Martians through to their attack and eventual defeat (I'll give nothing away here how, except to say that the movie Independence Day tried an updated version of the same solution), this is also - or so legend says - responsible for mass panic in the States when the radio adaptation was first broadcast.
  
Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights
Lucasta Miller, Emily Brontë, Pauline Nestor | 2003 | Fiction & Poetry
4
7.4 (43 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maybe this book works for people who are interested in the Victorian era and are easily pleased by drab events happening to drab people on a drab landscape. For me, this book was beyond ridiculous!

Heath was the only character I liked, the one I wasn't supposed to like. He was the only character who had any redeeming features and who I actually had some feelings for. Cathy is just an over-the-top fruit loop with a stick up... well, where the sun don't shine. Yeah she didn't have the best upbringing or the best family but she didn't need to become so self righteous.

Dull, dull and dull.
  
From Hell (2001)
From Hell (2001)
2001 | Horror, Mystery
Johnny The Ripper
From Hell- its mysterious, thrilling, horrorfying, terrorfying and above all a good movie, thats about Jack The Ripper. And plus Johhny Depp is in it and his is a inspector so thats a plus.

The plot: Inspector Fred Abberline is determined to track down Jack the Ripper in Victorian east London. As well as his Sergeant Peter Godley, Abberline is helped on the case by visions he has while high on opium, and adding urgency to his investigations is `unfortunate' Mary Kelly, a potential Ripper victim with whom the Inspector is falling in love.

Its a really good movie, highly reccordmend watching it.