Cousin Bette is a poor and lonely seamstress, who, after the death of her prominent and wealthy sister, tries to ingratiate herself into lives of her brother-in-law, Baron Hulot, and her ...
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Title: Cousin Bette (1998)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Geraldine Chaplin | ... | ||
| John Benfield | ... |
Dr. Bianchon
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| Hugh Laurie | ... | ||
| Jessica Lange | ... | ||
| Paul Bandey | ... |
Priest
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| Laura Fraser | ... |
Mariette
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| Toby Stephens | ... | ||
| Kelly Macdonald | ... | ||
 |
Janie Hargreaves | ... |
Célestine
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Gillian Martell | ... |
Portress
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| Elisabeth Shue | ... | ||
| John Sessions | ... |
Musical Director
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Henrik Wager | ... |
Baritone
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| Aden Young | ... | ||
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John Quentin | ... |
Elderly Aristocrat
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Cousin Bette is a poor and lonely seamstress, who, after the death of her prominent and wealthy sister, tries to ingratiate herself into lives of her brother-in-law, Baron Hulot, and her niece, Hortense Hulot. Failing to do so, she instead finds solace and company in a handsome young sculptor she saves from starvation. But the aspiring artist soon finds love in the arms of another woman, Hortense, leaving Bette a bitter spinster. Bette plots to take revenge on the family who turned her away and stole her only love. With the help of famed courtesan Jenny Cadine she slowly destroys the lives of those who have scorned her. Written by <CherylC894@aol.com>
Taglines:
Who knew deception, treachery and revenge could be this much fun...Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
12 June 1998 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
La prima Bette See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$76,488, 14 June 1998, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$1,200,000Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby SRColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Victorin Hulot: I understand.
Vauvinet, the Moneylender: ...It's the principle.
Victorin Hulot: I understand.
Vauvinet, the Moneylender: So if you don't repay us, we kill you, your wife and children and throw your bodies into the Seine.
[pause]
Victorin Hulot: I understand.
See more »
Performed by Elisabeth Shue
Music and Lyrics by Danny Troob and Des McAnuff
Adapted from the music of Pierre de Beranger
Produced by Simon Boswell
See more »
Did You Know?
Quotes
Vauvinet, the Moneylender: It's the not about the money, you understand...Victorin Hulot: I understand.
Vauvinet, the Moneylender: ...It's the principle.
Victorin Hulot: I understand.
Vauvinet, the Moneylender: So if you don't repay us, we kill you, your wife and children and throw your bodies into the Seine.
[pause]
Victorin Hulot: I understand.
See more »
Soundtracks
The Tiger SongPerformed by Elisabeth Shue
Music and Lyrics by Danny Troob and Des McAnuff
Adapted from the music of Pierre de Beranger
Produced by Simon Boswell
See more »
A somewhat sanitised version of the Balzac classic which departs disappointingly from the original story. Jessica Lang is far too pretty a version of the downtrodden, wizened old hag Bette of the original and so conveys none of her deviousness in the many schemes to avenge herself against her condescending relatives. Missing completely from the film is arch-whore Valerie, a central character of the book's plot, who dies a grim death from a disfiguring tropical disease at the conclusion, thus removing an important moral message of the tale. Most of Balzac's other works viz. Madame Bovary, contain one of these. That said, costumes and furniture are fairly faultless which shows Hollywood has at least tried to do justice to a great book.