MovieChat Forums > The Governess (1998) Discussion > This household could have benefitted wit...

This household could have benefitted with Freud's expertise.


What was wrong with this family?

The mother was completely obsessed with London society... and she had never been there once.

The daughter spent all of her screen time vying for attention talking about disturbing dreams and showing off her dead animal collection.

The Father, Charles Cavendish, not only takes advantage of the young ingenue, but also constantly demeans her with his bigotry and sexist ideals. Now, true, he didn't know she was jewish, but that does not excuse him for not giving her any credit for her help with his work because she was a woman.

And Henry Cavendish... He spends all of his time obsessing for the woman who does not love him, snooping in her personal belongings, and bragging about his exploits with prostitutes in opium dens. Now, I thought he was probably the best part of the film, his position clearly a mirror for the love that Rosina was bestowing on Charles that was not returned, and the acting was superb due to the skill of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, but he still clearly had social problems.

This film needed more explanation of this family, what brought them to this point? what drove them to behave in such a manner? A little more time spent setting up the dysfunctions would have been a welcomed addition.

Still, I give it four out of five stars.

reply

SCOTLAND DESTROYS PEOPLES SOULS!!! I speak from personal exposure.

"Yeah well that may be, but at least I never slept with Lumbergh."

reply

This is one of the most interesting comments I've read on IMDb. What do you mean?

reply

Yay for Cresta!!! x

"Uh, so, did anybody... uh... last night, you know, did anybody, um... burst into song?"

reply

[deleted]