and just about everyone else. Who knew that deception, treachery, and revenge could be this tedious.Although the period production design is reasonable, this film suffers from lax direction and the presence of an `international cast', with the resultant mix of accents and acting styles. Of the better known thespians, Geraldine Chaplin again demonstrates that she inherited her mother's looks but not her father's talent, whereas the best that can be said of Americans Elizabeth Shue and Jessica Lange is that they are woefully miscast.As a courtesan, Ms. Shue exhibits about as much ability to drive men to ruin as a stale baguette, while a rosy-cheeked, unwrinkled Ms. Lange delivers a studied, monotone performance relieved only by occasional lapses into a southern accent.This Gallic debacle left this reviewer wondering if the final musical sequence was indicative of a certain regard for the audience, and firmly convinced that bringing French literature to the screen is best left to the French.

"Cousin Bette" is a witty and deliciously mean-spirited black comedy. The operative term, however, is "mean-spirited," so this film is not for all tastes. Cousin Bette is victimized (at least in her own mind) by her selfish and unfeeling relatives. Based on a Balzac novel, the story follows Bette's attempts to find love and to get even with those she believes have wronged her. Things don't ever work out as Cousin Bette plans, but the lady proves she is adaptable. Jessica Lange, despite her beauty made me believe that she was an unattractive spinster. Bob Hoskins was, as always, excellent, as was Elizabeth Shue, who nearly stole the show. Good stuff. Recommended.

One may shudder as Cousin Bette pursues her relentless machinations for revenge because of spurned love, but a chuckle is always bubbling somewhere beneath other emotions. Some patience is needed, however, to savor the good qualities of the film. Cast, story, suspense are all to the good, but the editing is about as bad as it gets among contemporary films, and the photography is only marginally acceptable. I reached for the remote more than once, but finally stuck it out to the end. Jessica's performance was worth the other miseries.

A great film, with wonderful performances from all, especially Lange, who plays her role so delicately that the viewer is never able to get the sort of hold on Bette that would do injustice to the novel. The most remarkable thing about this film however is Elisabeth Shue's singing which is... odd. But this is all in all a brilliant film with a depth of character and strength of plot (the ending leaves one empty for days) that makes it highly rewarding.