Carrington (1995)

The platonic relationship between artist Dora Carrington (Dame Emma Thompson) and writer Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce) in the early twentieth century.

Director:

Christopher Hampton

Writers:

Christopher Hampton, Michael Holroyd (book)

Stars:

Emma Thompson, Jonathan Pryce, Steven Waddington

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 7 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emma Thompson	...	Dora Carrington
Jonathan Pryce	...	Lytton Strachey
Steven Waddington	...	Ralph Partridge
Samuel West	...	Gerald Brenan
Rufus Sewell	...	Mark Gertler
Penelope Wilton	...	Lady Ottoline Morrell
Janet McTeer	...	Vanessa Bell
Peter Blythe	...	Phillip Morrell
Jeremy Northam	...	Beacus Penrose
Alex Kingston	...	Frances Partridge
Sebastian Harcombe	...	Roger Senhouse
Richard Clifford	...	Clive Bell
David Ryall	...	Mayor
Stephen Boxer	...	Military Rep
Annabel Mullion	...	Mary Hutchinson

Storyline

The story of the relationship between painter Dora Carrington (Dame Emma Thompson) and author Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce) in a World War I England of cottages and countryside. Although platonic due to Strachey's homosexuality, the relationship was nevertheless a deep and complicated one. When Carrington did develop a more physical relationship with soldier Ralph Partridge (Steven Waddington), Strachey was able to welcome him as a friend, although Partridge remained somewhat uneasy, not so much with Strachey's sexual orientation as with the fact that he was a conscientious objector.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | gay | rape | f rated | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

She had many lovers but only one love.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality and language

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carrington

Filming Locations:

Coast line between Whitby and Robins Hood Bay, Yorkshire.

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$151,722, 12 November 1995

Gross USA:

$3,242,342

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,242,342

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Freeway Films, Cinéa

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the press tour for the movie, Dame Emma Thompson told reporters how she enjoyed doing nude scenes, particularly since she was not a standard Hollywood "hard-body".

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Quotes

Dora Carrington: If only I wasn't so - plural. Especially when people seem to want me so - conclusively.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The American President/Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls/Kicking and Screaming/Carrington/Total Eclipse (1995)

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Soundtracks

Adagio from 'String Quintet in C Major', D. 956, op. post. 163
Composed by Franz Schubert

User Reviews

High class and high quality.

Emma Thompson in a period piece--I would bet that's a pretty good movie, and 'Carrington' did not disappoint me. It concerns the unusual relationship of writer Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce) and painter Dora Carrington (Thompson) in their insular world of upper-class friends and other artists in England between the Great Wars. When we first meet Strachey he's a fastidious homosexual of thirty-six going on seventy-six. He mistakes Carrington, with her bobbed hair and masculine clothes, for a boy. Despite this inauspicious beginning, they soon find themselves fascinated with each other, then the fascination turns to love. Their non-sexual relationship endures in spite of her marriage, their other lovers and their lover's lovers. As the years go by, a flow chart might help out the viewer trying to remember who's who.

As you might surmise, this film is not for everyone. There are some who will dismiss the whole group as "immoral" or as an effete corps of impudent snobs, but we won't be that narrow- minded and judgemental, will we? If you allow yourself into 'Carrington's' world I think you'll find it rewarding. It's full of good actors but I believe its success is largely due to director Christopher Hampton's screenplay. It's a full two hour movie without the benefit of car chases, explosions or kickboxing matches, so it's a big plus to have something nice to look at for all that time. We can thank cinematographer Denis Lenoir and production designer Caroline Ames for that.