The Painted Veil (2006)

A British medical doctor fights a cholera outbreak in a small Chinese village, while also being trapped at home in a loveless marriage to an unfaithful wife.

Director:

John Curran

Writers:

Ron Nyswaner (screenplay), W. Somerset Maugham (novel)

Stars:

Catherine An, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catherine An	...	Hostess
Bin Li	...	Te-Ming
Bin Wu	...	Student 1
Alan David	...	Mr. Garstin
Marie-Laure Descoureaux	...	Sister St. Joseph
Sally Hawkins	...	Mary (scenes deleted)
Juliet Howland	...	Dorothy Townsend
Toby Jones	...	Waddington
Lorraine Laurence	...	Sister Maryse
Johnny Lee	...	Angry Chinese Man
Li Feng	...	Sung Ching
Gesang Meiduo	...	Amah
Edward Norton	...	Walter Fane
Yin Qing	...	Student 2
Ian Renwick	...	Geoffrey Denison (as Ian Rennick)

Storyline

This love story has Kitty meeting young, intelligent, shy and somewhat dull Dr. Walter Fane, whose forte is the study of infectious diseases, and the convenient marriage that she finds herself committed to. It is in this web of intrigue that they head for China, only after Walter discovers Kitty's infidelity with one dashing and witty diplomat Charlie Townsend. So much as to hide her from herself and to help thwart a cholera outbreak, this is a marriage more than on the rocks. This is a cold, indifferent and loveless partnership in a vast unknown and deadly environment that will test both these flightless lovebirds and with the hardships and tolerances more than any had ever anticipated. A visual delight amid the pain and suffering of a dying people and failing marriage. Will a cure be found for both, before it's too late?

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | cholera | love | china | infidelity | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some mature sexual situations, partial nudity, disturbing images and brief drug content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

China USA Canada

Language:

Mandarin English French

Release Date:

19 January 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al otro lado del mundo

Filming Locations:

Beijing Film Studio, Beijing, China

Box Office

Budget:

$19,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£261,130 (UK) (27 April 2007)

Gross:

£1,381,143 (UK) (25 May 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

WIP, Stratus Film Co., Bob Yari Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edward Norton personally recruited Naomi Watts for her role in the film.

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Goofs

In the scene in the orphanage where Walter kisses Kitty goodbye before he leaves for the camp, Kitty is sleeping with a child in her arms. The child is lying on his side as Walter kisses her, then a wider angle is shown and the child is all of a sudden sleeping on his back.

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Quotes

Kitty Fane: [about Wan Xi] I had no idea you had so much affection for her.
Waddington: What makes you think I do?
Kitty Fane: I can see it in your eyes. I wonder what she sees in you.
Waddington: [In Chinese] What do you see in me?
Wan Xi: [to Waddington] You're a good man.
Waddington: She says I'm a good man.
Kitty Fane: As if a women has ever loved a man for his virtue.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 6 January 2007 (2007)

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Soundtracks

"A La Claire Fontaine"
Traditional French song
Performed by The Choir of the Beijing Takahashi Culture and Art Centre

User Reviews

A complex, moody film that draws you in on many levels and does not let go

Set in China in the 1920s during a cholera epidemic and the nationalist uprising, the film explores the stormy relationship of a dry British doctor and his seemingly incompatible fun-loving wife. They interact with engaging characters that include French nuns, British expatriates and a Chinese doctor and military officer. The tension is increased by the ever-present threat of death from the epidemic and the political and military unrest that is about to explode. The film is shot with a hazy green look that makes the lush Chinese countryside even more mysterious and beautiful. The film is accompanied by well-chosen music with a particularly gripping main theme by Satie. Norton and Watts do a splendid job in the leading roles.