It is satisfying and gratifying to me when a female character in an era when women were expected to be submissive shows strength, strategy, and heart. At first the main character, Maud, comes across and haughty and imperious. But soon we find that these are also aspects of her dignity. She is a thinker and does not run off at the mouth whenever her feelings overtake her. I found myself rooting for her throughout and I don't consider what she did at the end monstrous. She was a trapped animal and had to use her wits to get out of a fatal situation.
I particularly love the Victoria style of dress and hair, being quite true to many portraits I have seen from the late 1860's. The mourning dress throughout is very true to that period, as are the sentiments of modesty and propriety.
The villains are all liars and easily bought but it's not just black and white. Some have charm that could be endearing at first. But their insincerity shows up very soon. So it is extremely satisfying to see at least some justice meted out to them for their evil and controlling behavior. Lack of character and cowardice combined with greed and manipulation them up.
This is an artistically created and conceived film of quality. It is exciting and stirs the emotions. An excellent experience that restores my faith that great films are still being made.
