Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Catherine An | ... | Hostess |
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Bin Li | ... | Te-Ming |
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Bin Wu | ... | Student 1 |
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Alan David | ... | Mr. Garstin |
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Marie-Laure Descoureaux | ... | Sister St. Joseph |
Sally Hawkins | ... | Mary (scenes deleted) | |
Juliet Howland | ... | Dorothy Townsend | |
Toby Jones | ... | Waddington | |
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Lorraine Laurence | ... | Sister Maryse |
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Gwing-Gai Lee | ... | Angry Chinese Man (as Johnny Lee) |
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Li Feng | ... | Sung Ching |
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Gesang Meiduo | ... | Amah |
Edward Norton | ... | Walter Fane | |
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Yin Qing | ... | Student 2 |
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Ian Renwick | ... | Geoffrey Denison (as Ian Rennick) |
This love story has Kitty (Naomi Watts) meeting young, intelligent, shy and somewhat dull Dr. Walter Fane (Edward Norton), whose forte is the study of infectious diseases, and the convenient marriage to which she finds herself committed. It is in this web of intrigue that they head for China, only after Walter discovers Kitty's infidelity with the dashing and witty diplomat Charlie Townsend (Liev Schreiber). 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 of these flightless lovebirds and with the hardships and tolerances more than any had ever anticipated. A visual delight amidst the pain and suffering of dying people and failing marriage. Will a cure be found for both, before it's too late? Written by Cinema_Fan
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.