The Secret Rapture

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.

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".

Tiresome British drama that has aged very badly. Rather commonplace characters are established, then the grenade of Joanne Whalley's nasty widow thrown into the mix with predictable results. The look of everything is very bland and humdrum; a typical TV look of the day. The best thing about it was Julia Stevenson, who managed to evoke sympathy and interest in her character. If you enjoy family dramas and second-guessing everyone's motives you may yet enjoy this.

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!!

It is so wonderful to see a film where the characters are multi-dimensional, imperfect, complex and believable. Their motives to hurt each other are more than knee-jerk reactions to the groin. I strongly recommend this film for the great acting by Juliet Stevenson, Joanne Whalley (sans Kilmer), and Penelope Wilton.