The Secret Rapture

What a tedious turgid boring mess. This is a classic example of all that is wrong with contemporary English theater & film. About as exciting as a closet full of dirty socks. The very opposite of living film. Only the presence of Joanne Whalley gives it any spark.

I finally rented this video after searching for it for many months. Initially I only wanted to see it because I'm an out and out Neil Pearson fan (Patrick, boyfriend of Isobel, the lead). However, the movie stands up very well without Neil (although he handles himself very well in this movie, he is overshadowed by the three main female characters). It's an eerie, intense movie, the sort the Brits do so well - definitely a "chick flick" the house and it's isolated setting giving the movie an almost "Wuthering Heights" aura. The movie is full of tension and the ending, shocking, yet somehow inevitable. I'm glad I watched it, it was worth the wait

I loved this play, i found it surprisingly refreshing and exciting. The Femininity of the roles and the antagonistic characters. Definitely worthwhile seeing! As a response to the comment mentioned before mine, obviously not everyone was able to see the underlying themes and the beauty of David Hare's writing. Having had an essay based on The Secret Rapture for my English degree i already know the play very well, but seeing it as it was meant to be seen (on stage) my love for this play was only cemented. Apart from the sexual scenes between Isobel and her husband this play is suitable for everyone who has a love for English literature, or even those who are just looking for something different than the typical hero in a stage production.

This gorgeous movie contains both fine acting and writing; real characters shown with flaws and beauty in equal parts; human primates as we all are. The storyline is simple but full of life-like twists and turns as different parts of each character comes forth and then steps back, only to reveal another side: that's what we humans do. The grayish bland colors of the home cottage spell out the pain and numbness everyone who grew up there went through; yet to survive and finally face the trauma of "normal" societal behaviors; creatively and thick with color. Makes it a very rich powerful setting for becoming personally honest; among all the characters who come together and fall apart while visiting the old homestead.

Very moving film; no gimmicks, no special effects; no bang-bang shoot em up; great acting and people we recognize as ourselves.

Highly recommended!!

Virtually unseen in this country, "The Secret Rapture" showcases the remarkable Juliet Stevenson in David Hare's drama concerning internal conflicts and unspoken hostilities which threaten a British family. She potrays a woman self-sacrificing to the point of destructiveness, a passive-aggressive sacrificial lamb who controls those around her through acts of self deprecation and kindness. She's nicely contrasted with Joanne Whalley's nasty-edged femme fatale who seals the family's doom, reminiscent of Gene Tierney's carnivorous soul-eater in "Leave Her to Heaven"... Should be seen by David Hare fans and those unacquainted with an excellent performer who also did spectacular work as the grieving widow in "Truly Madly Deeply".