The American (TV 1998)

After the horror of the Civil War, 'ignorant' Christopher Newman made his fortune. He travels to France is search of cultural treasures. He won't get past the Paris nightlife. After an ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Unwin

Writers:

Henry James (novel), Michael Hastings

Stars:

Matthew Modine, Diana Rigg, Aisling O'Sullivan

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Modine	...	Christopher Newman
Diana Rigg	...	Madame de Bellegarde
Aisling O'Sullivan	...	Claire De Cintré
Paul Hickey	...	Henri de Bellegarde
Andrew Scott	...	Valentin de Bellegarde
Brenda Fricker	...	Mrs. Bread
Eva Birthistle	...	Noemie Nioche
T.P. McKenna	...	Marquis de Bellegarde
Phillip O'Sullivan	...	Marquis de Cintre
Ian Fitzgibbon	...	Tom Tristram
Joe Pilkington	...	Armand Nioche
Ed Bishop	...	Gen. Packard
Alison McKenna	...	Mrs. Tristram
Anita Reeves	...	The Duchess
David Heap	...	Stanislas Kapp

Storyline

After the horror of the Civil War, 'ignorant' Christopher Newman made his fortune. He travels to France is search of cultural treasures. He won't get past the Paris nightlife. After an affair with a haughty painter, he falls in love with the daughter of the late marquis de Bellegarde. She was married off and traumatized by her abusive late husband for the family's sake. Her elder brother supports their ruthless mother, but junior Valentin is besotted with the artist and strikes a partnership with Christopher.

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Plot Keywords:

fall | brother brother relationship | ritual | sex | abuse | 

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 December 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

Amerykanin

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Worldwide, Irish Screen, WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Could be better, but still good

I have never read the novel in which this movie is based. However, it is maybe like in all the books. The movie will never be better than the book (Lets mention The Lord Of The Rings, for example, or The Never Ending Story, Little Women... and on and on) so I learned few years ago that any time I watch a movie I wont ever compare it with the book, otherwise I am almost sure I wont like it. So, if I don't even consider that there is a novel about this movie, then I can consider is a good one. The camera movements talk for themselves, all the photography is awesome, since Claire's close-ups to the Bellegardes' facade. I would call it very sentimental shots, that make you able to feel Claire's sadness, and the mother's craziness, and maybe the music helps a lot. Something extra is that this movie has not the typical happy-end, and that's something I like a lot. I find also (even I am not a psychologist) the psychology of the characters very well treated.