The Serpent's Kiss (1997)

Director:

Philippe Rousselot

Writer:

Tim Rose Price (original screenplay)

Release Date:

11 December 1998 (Portugal)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Young Dutch architect Meneer Chrome comes to a remote English estate where Thomas Smithers lives with his wife...

Plot Keywords:

Garden | Architect | Snuff Powder | Mandrake | Architecture

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ewan McGregor	...	Meneer Chrome
Greta Scacchi	...	Juliana
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Thomas Smithers
Richard E. Grant	...	James Fitzmaurice
Carmen Chaplin	...	Thea / Anna
Donal McCann	...	Physician
Charley Boorman	...	Secretary
Gerard McSorley	...	Mr. Galmoy
Britta Smith	...	Mrs. Galmoy
Susan Fitzgerald	...	Mistress Clevely
Pat Laffan	...	Pritchard
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	Physician's Assistant
Henry King	...	Lead Reaper

MPAA:

Rated R for brief language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-11 | UK:15 | Portugal:M/12 | USA:R | Germany:12

Company:

J&M Entertainment

Quotes:

[Chrome and Juliana are talking in the hothouse at night]
Chrome: There will be flowers of brown and green and black.
Juliana: Black?
Chrome: The Larousse collection specializes in dark plants, often black. Primula Arricula. Canna Indica. Tulipfera Nigra. Anemone Atrocarrulea.
Juliana: I would be unacceptable then in a Larousse collection.
Chrome: Oh, I think you would be rare enough, exotic enough.
Juliana: But my skin is white.
Chrome: Completely white?
Juliana: Completely.
Chrome: No blemishes, no stains?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Long Way Round" (2004)

A beautiful story, but not for the average viewer

As an independent period flick, the movie supports a decent set and accurate costumes. The acting is, more or less, well done (Ewan McGregor is, as usual, brilliant, Carmen Chaplin made a smashing debut, and the rest of the cast was easy to watch).

The plot of the movie, however, must be watched carefully, or you'll miss the subtle dynamics of the characters, and the beautiful undertones of the themes. If you go into it with expectations, you'll be disappointed. While the main love story is not at all original, I can't see this movie being a box-office hit, or at all popular with main-stream viewers.

I guess the main thing you need to know when going into this movie is, while the plot is an important factor, the real reason I would give for watching it is to see the wonderful way the characters interact with each other. Like so many independent films, The Serpent's Kiss relies on its script and characters more than events and elaborate sets.