Under Heaven

If anyone has seen Days of Heaven, there's no need to suffer through Under Heaven. The tension and credibility have been drained out of this Wings of the Dove remake. An interesting cast has had all their life and spontaneity removed. Heavy-handed movie-making at its worst because there's talent wasted here.

I first saw this movie on the Lifetime cable network under the title "In A Private Garden."

I didn't have any great expectations at first, but I ended up liking it very much. It was an interesting story line (at least to me). I was drawn to the characters and developed a genuine empathy for them.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a drama/romance story with a twist.

Joely Richardson,(Eleanor Dunston),"The Fever",'04, was very attractive in this film and at times very sexy and hot in bed. Joely played the role of Eleanor, who was very rich and had a beautiful home and fantastic landscape and gardens full of flowers. Uden Young,(Buck),"Human Touch", was a worker at Eleanor's home along with Molly Parker( Cynthia),"Break a Leg",'05. Uden and Molly had some hidden secrets between the two of them and managed to get deeply involved with Eleanor, doing all kinds of tasks until she finds out some horrible facts. Eleanor has health problems which seem to change the direction of the film. Eleanor buys Cynthia a very sexy outfit and Cynthia decides to show Buck how very pretty the dress looks, which is skin tight and she wears no under garments which does a big number on poor Buck. Great story, and a few tissues will be required, don't miss it, great acting and some very steamy romantic events!

(1998) Under Heaven DRAMA

The movie is about and asks two question- is it better to be wealthy and know that you're dying of cancer or to be poor and live a very long prosperous life or at least die of an old age? Somewhat look like a 'hallmark' film but says that it came from a Henry James novel called "The Wings of the Dove", which the theme is taken, and that it works well on it's own terms in current times as a commentary! Jobless couple (Molly Parker and Aiden Young)swindle, posing as brother and sister to work for wealthy lady whose dying of cancer played by Joely Richardson- that's basically the story. Haven't remembered too much of the 1997 version of 'The Wings of the Dove' film starring Helena Bonahm Carter, Linus Roache and Alison Elliott but may not have been too impressed because of the original time it which the film took place.

I've seen this movie so many times, and it still makes me cry. Spectacular performances, an excellent adaptation, and a good soundtrack. It makes Henry James so much more applicable. It's a little hard to find, but definitely worth the effort.