Good movie but grossly overrated

best movie i've ever seen.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

This reviewer loves a vast majority of Charles Dickens' work, loving his ability to create rich complex characters, an unparallelled attention to detail to the extent it feels like you're there in the story and while long and sometimes sprawling his stories are so multi-layered and compelling. So seeing a film based on his life and this particular aspect of Dickens' life was immediately appealing.While The Invisible Woman won't (and clearly judging from some of the reviews here, and their criticisms are understandable it isn't) be for all tastes, and while it has flaws and it feels like there is something missing it was to me a good film with many merits, which have been acknowledged by those who didn't like it. Getting the criticisms out of the way, I do agree about the film having some abrupt narrative shifts that gives it a jumpy feel, it's never incoherent, just that it was a little difficult sometimes to keep up with what were the early scenes and what were the later ones. And also that the film drags in places, not helped by some instances of excessively slow or jerky editing/shots or scenes that go on for too long. This is particularly true with the scene where Dickens and Nelly get intimate which was overlong and was really not needed, that is of course my opinion. The Invisible Woman is always intriguing, whether you are familiar of the story or not, and deals with the subject with plenty of intelligence and surprising subtlety but another criticism is that parts could have done with more detail and depth, and they are correct because there are some potentially interesting moments that are introduced but not explored enough. Conversely, The Invisible Woman has many merits, one of which was the acting. Dickens himself is marvellously played by the ever compelling Ralph Fiennes, never feeling like a one-dimensional caricature and he never plays him annoyingly or overwroughtly. Instead while Nelly is clearly the more complex character here this is one expertly portrayal where Dickens is hugely popular but his life is not properly fulfilled due to being married to a woman who does not understand his work. Fiennes also does a confident directing job, though he is absolutely much more comfortable as an actor, which brings out every nuance without being too self- indulgent. As aforementioned, Nelly is the more complex character and it is intricately and affectingly played by Felicity Jones, there is nothing robotic or unemotional at all about her very nuanced approach to 'The Invisible Woman' of the title, and the subtlety in Dickens' and Nelly's relationship was much appreciated. Kristin Scott Thomas is also moving in the most empathetic character in the film, Tom Hollander is very good and surprisingly versatile as Wilkie Collins and one does feel sympathy but also frustration towards Joanna Scanlan's Catherine. Another strong asset was the way The Invisible Woman looks. The period detail is exemplary and remarkably evocative of what living conditions, relationships in families and class differences were like in the Victorian era. It is beautifully shot and makes great use of locations (the scenery is gorgeous) and settings in all their glory. There is a little music here but it is used sparingly, that did work well, if there was constant music, that can be intrusive in films and TV series, the intimacy, nuance and subtlety of the storytelling may not have come through as effectively. So that is a criticism I respectfully disagree with. Abi Morgan's screenplay is underdeveloped in its ideas at times, but is on the whole very intelligently written and the idea to frame the story around the illicit consequences and the history of Nelly's later life with keeping the liason that changed her life a secret coming increasingly strained proved effective in a dramatic sense. The lives of women in the Victorian era (which was very restricted) and interdependence between Dickens and Nelly was similarly brought to life in a well-observed fashion. Narratively it is also not perfect, but it was compelling and anybody who doesn't know an awful lot about this area will be fascinated and want to know more about it. Overall, a good film that doesn't always succeed albeit with a lot of things that are done brilliantly. 7/10 Bethany Cox

While he certainly has an eye for period detail and construction, actor/director Ralph Fiennes amiable yet worryingly cold Charles Dickins real life period romance is a hit and miss experience that is made more worthy by another fantastic lead performance from Brit Felicity Jones, who will more than likely be an awards frontrunner and a household name with her turn in the upcoming Stephen Hawking tale The Theory of Everything.Following on from his curious Shakespeare adaptation of Coriolanus, Fiennes had set himself some task in the telling of an oft forgotten element to author Charles Dickins life, that being his romance and infatuation with much younger women and family friend Nelly played here by Jones. While Fiennes does a fine job of portraying Dickins both as an author and larger than life figure of the time he does not mount a successful case as to what really sparks the romance between Dickins and Nelly other than he was famous and she thought he was talented. It feels like a wasted opportunity to really portray something memorable out on screen between the two that being despite Jones charismatic and vulnerable turn.Jones has over some stretch of time been carving out an impressive catalogue of turns from Like Crazy and Breathe In through to Cemetery Junction, Jones has shown herself time and time again to be a female lead of some sensitivity and stature and here as Nelly again shines in what would of no doubt been an industry calling card for her upcoming roles. Filling Nelly with smarts, charm and life Jones outshines her far more experienced co-actors and takes the film to a higher level that without her it would've failed to reach. Whenever Jones is on screen the film feels more like an event, when she is off screen it again goes back to a cold by the numbers tale that consistently threatens to derail the whole affair. Special mention must be also paid to actress Joanna Scanlan as Charles's wife Catherine Dickins. Scanlan imbues Catherine with an air of grace and one wishes that she had gotten more screen time within the film.A handsomely crafted yet predictable affair, one can't help but feel Fiennes's tale had more to give but thanks to Jones and her continued growth as an actress The Invisible Woman remains a film worthy of checking out and a tale that deserved to be told, especially for those many avid readers of Dickins who may've been unawares of his colourful real life dealings.2 and a half fast paced beach walks out of 5 For more movie reviews and opinions check out - www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com

Now this really did feel like such a type of cliché, the type of British period piece that puts people to sleep. it sounds like quite a lazy criticism, and in a way it is, but it comes down to that. This was just not very interesting, and as a result, kind of dull. It's not "bad" though so I feel like I owe it at least some stars, and the acting is good and the technical aspects very good as well. I just wish it was better as a film overall. Fiennes is good, but jones is really the heart and soul of the film and remains a very interesting, captivating performer that I hope to see a lot of in the future. So yes, I don't really recommend this, but it's definitely an admirable effort from all involved.

In Margate, England 1883, Mrs. Wharton Robinson/Nelly (Felicity Jones) is haunted by her past. Years earlier, Nelly at 18 joined her mother Mrs. Frances Ternan (Kristin Scott Thomas) at one of Charles Dickens (Ralph Fiennes)'s play. She catches his eye even though she's not a particularly good actress. Her mother is worried. Dickens eventually starts an affair with her as he announces his separation from his embarrassed wife in a public letter in the newspaper. In the process, he would write "Great Expectations".I don't think I've ever seen the character of Charles Dickens in a movie. I don't know what expectations I have of him but this is probably not what I imagined. He is basically a rock star and he is a flawed human being. There are some really powerful scenes of their relationship and the moral constraints of the day. However those scenes are sandwiched between lots of slow uninteresting scenes. The acting is all good. Felicity Jones gives both the innocent and the hurt. Ralph Fiennes gives an interesting performance although I would want a more overpowering presence. As a director, he shows that he's capable of doing the work, but I wish it revealed more of his personal style. In general, this is a functional period piece with flashes of greatness.