Angels and Insects

One of the most intricate, well-made films I've seen. The acting is tremendous, the imagery is subtle yet stunning. A film which makes one think of the intricacies of human relationships. The pilgrimage of the hero from the brutal Amazon to "civilized" society which he finds to be anything but civilized in spite of the gorgeous trappings of the upper aristocracy. Highly recommended!

Think of a coffin- beautiful metal or wood, but with death inside, so to the Alabasters are beautiful to look at but rotting inside. Or have you ever watched ants clean up a carcass of roadkill. Angels and Insects has some of the most beautiful costumes I've ever seen, but one of the most shocking stories. Will Adamson as Mark is very subdued,as Kristin Scott Thomas remarkable as Matty- who proves to be the real beauty.

I like how the director kept giving us subtle hints and then was not afraid to throw the truth in our faces- like being hit by the bucket of ice water. A.S. Byatt's story is well translated into film .

"Angels and Insects" is a slow starter with several strikes against it from the outset. First, the title is a turn-off (from the Byatt book of the same name). Secondly it's a period piece (circa mid 19th century England). Thirdly it factors in Darwinism, Amazon natives, ants and insects, and other esoteric subjects which don't make films appealing to the masses. Finally it has none of the usual Hollywood tinsel and trappings. Those, however, who can get past all that will find a masterpiece of filming, acting, directing, writing, costuming, orchestration, etc. A slowly captivating and somewhat melancholy story of the goings-on within an English manor, "A&I" delivers powerful drama, sterling performances, and masterful execution by the auteur. A great watch for those who love cinema for cinema's sake.

i decided to tape this movie without watching it and save it for a rainy day, and did it ever pay off! this is a great movie. now i admire antonia susan's writing, but trying to slog through morpho eugenia (book from which this movie was made) was like a peculiar form of torture-- insect description til i thought i would vomit. never thought i would say this, but the movie is so much better! it has all you could want:great acting{no matter what some people say about patsy kensit, if they hadn't wanted some one with her particular talent she would not have been cast. so there.i bite my thumb at thee.} great costumes, setting, and surprise twist ending--! see this movie.

final words:watch it for the sheer guilty pleasure

When William Adamson an entomologist (Mark Rylance) marries Eugenia Alabaster (Patsy Kensit) the daughter of an aristocratic family, he realises that he will always be considered an outsider. He spends much of his time with his insect collection, drawing, and describing specimens and writing books about his butterflies and ants etc. However, Eugenia both beautiful and wealthy is one specimen he prizes above all others. Mark Rylance plays the quietly spoken entomologist with sincerity and always in character. Patsy Kensit is suitably sullen and mysterious with her changing moods and strange ways. But it is Douglas Henshall who plays her obnoxious lascivious brother who livens up every scene in which he appears. The Victorian conversations and mannerisms while well done do tend to irritate after awhile and it is quite pleasing when Eugenia's mother with her high-pitched voice quietly passes away. It seems to me that the interiors of the castle are quite incompatible with the magnificence of the exterior walls, but that is really of little consequence. As we watch the story unfold, we become aware that it is not only William's presence that is so upsetting, but something deeper, more mysterious, some untold secret brooding over the whole family. It is not too difficult to guess what that secret is. One of the early impressions of the film is the predominance of the unusually bold bright colours in the ladies' costumes - bright blue, bright red and bold stripes. Surely they are wrong for this era. I can only guess that the writer (or was it the art director?) got the idea that the women in their Victorian dresses could reflect the colours of the insects - butterflies, ants and bumble bees. Despite its selection for the Cannes Film Festival 1995, it is not a great film, but quite entertaining to watch despite its slow beginning, and for those who like a happy ending, everyone gets their just deserts. The film underlines the fact we all already know that the aristocracy is not always kind to outsiders.