Angels and Insects (1995) 6.8
In the 1800s a naturalist marries into a family of British aristocrats. Director:Philip Haas |
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Angels and Insects (1995) 6.8
In the 1800s a naturalist marries into a family of British aristocrats. Director:Philip Haas |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Mark Rylance | ... |
William Adamson
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| Kristin Scott Thomas | ... |
Matty Crompton
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| Patsy Kensit | ... |
Eugenia Alabaster Adamson
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| Jeremy Kemp | ... |
Sir Harald Alabaster
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| Douglas Henshall | ... |
Edgar Alabaster
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Annette Badland | ... |
Lady Alabaster
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| Chris Larkin | ... |
Robin
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| Anna Massey | ... |
Miss Mead
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Saskia Wickham | ... |
Rowena Alabaster
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Lindsay Thomas | ... |
Lady Alabaster's Maid
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Michelle Sylvester | ... |
Margaret Alabaster
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Clare Lovell | ... |
Elaine Alabaster
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Jenny Lovell | ... |
Edith Alabaster
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Oona Haas | ... |
Alice Alabaster
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Angus Hodder | ... |
Guy Alabaster
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The movie is a study of an aristocratic family in the Victorian England. William Adamson, a young scientist, is introduced into the aristocratic family Alabaster by reverend Alabaster who is also fascinated by insects. William marries the older daughter of the family and studies the amounts of insects in the garden of the villa. His - for the aristocrats - strange behaviours reveal at the same time their own failures and passions. Written by Volker Boehm
This was thoroughly engaging and thoughtful film, with a rich and fascinating plot and characters.
The opening scene of the natives of South America dancing is a well edited opening, and the word 'Angels" appears over it. Indeed, all the Angels in this film are not in England (where the rest of the film takes place). William Adamson (Mark Rylance), a biologist who collects rare insects (especially the butterfly), survives a shipwreck and comes under the protection of an upper class English family. That's where he falls in love with Eugenia (Patsy Kensit). But every family has it's secrets.
Someone described this as "Merchant-Ivory meets Tennessee Williams", which is a perfect way to describe this film.
Several have complained about the actors, saying that there is not a single stand-out performance. I disagree, as both Rylance and Kristin Scott Thomas (in a performance worthy of an oscar nomination) acquit themselves well. The script is also very well written, and the costumes deserved the Oscar nomination.
One of the ten best of 1996.