NYFF AT 51 REVIEW: "THE INVISIBLE WOMAN"
BY LIZ WHITTEMORE
We all have a past. Some of us have nothing but happy memories. Most of us have secrets. Keeping those secrets can eat us alive. The Invisible Woman, based on Claire Tomalin’s biography, is the story of a love affair, but one that couldn’t exist in the public eye. Ellen Ternan, affectionately known as Nelly, is a young actress with an affinity for literature, in particular the works of Charles Dickens. With her actress mother and sisters, she is introduced to Mr. Dickens as she accepts a small role in one of his plays. There is an immediate attraction between the two. Paying no mind to his wife and 10 children, Dickens seeks her presence, but in a truly gentlemanly fashion. It becomes apparent to Nelly’s mother that he has deeper feelings. When Nelly is involved in a train accident, Dickens must do everything in his power to make it appear as if he is travelling alone. Nelly then realized the weight of this affair. Charles can never marry her. His adoring public may never know of their love. She must remain “invisible.”
The film is told through the memories of Nelly. We find her a married woman in the opening of the film. She has reinvented herself; changed her name, convinced those in her life that she is 10 years younger, and is a schoolteacher. She cannot hide her feelings of longing but must finally let go of the past. Nelly is played by Felicity Jones. Her vulnerability is palpable on screen. Ralph Fiennes, who takes on the dual role of star and director, is a cinematic gem as Charles. The chemistry between Jones and Fiennes reads completely genuine which is interesting since their characters are so far apart in age. Dickens is in his mid-forties while Nelly is just barely 18. Special attention should be paid to the outstanding performance of Joanna Scanlan as Catherine Dickens. She is a woman abandoned. In the press conference after the screening, Scanlan explains that Catherine is conflicted in her emotions towards Nelly. When two women love the same man, there is an unspoken bond. They understand each other.
Fiennes explained that costumes and sets were a massive undertaking, but were some of the most important aspects of creating the world of Dickens. Costume Designer Michael O’Connor studied photographs and paintings. The actors all agreed that once they stepped into items like delicately embroidered vests and corsets, they felt transformed. Fiennes also studies paintings that would inspire the very wallpaper in each scene. The Invisible Woman is, above all, a love story. Its lush scenery and enchanting performances bring new life to an author we have all read. Nelly’s story is one we can all relate to on some level.
VERDICT: Must See
Directed by: Ralph Fiennes Written by: Abi Morgan Based on the Book by: Claire Tomalin Starring: Felicity Jones, Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Tom Hollander, Joanna Scanlan
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a Dickens fan, the literary references will keep you in awe. As a film fan, the performances will leave you breathless.