This film is the result of a partnership between the US and China. The script is a cheap romance, in which a futile girl marries without love and betrays her husband, a doctor who truly loves her. From there, they live a marriage that only exists formally and things get worse when they go to a secluded hamlet in China, where an epidemic of cholera broke out. The country's political situation will also cause problems, as China, recently transformed into a republic with the deposition of the last emperor, becomes a troubled country, with internal conflicts and a huge aversion to foreigners.The plot adapts to the cinema an absolutely dry and heartless novel, but it does so in a way that's sometimes a bit melodramatic. I understand the intention: to increase the dramatic effect, the writer sweetened the story and altered it a bit, to make it more digestible. That's good but, just like when making a cake, we have to be careful not to overdo the amount of sugar. Unfortunately, sometimes it abuses the sugar but, at the same time, the epidemic and the misery of the people help to bring the film to a more realistic background and cut through this excessive sweetness. Thus, everything becomes more balanced, harmonious and pleasant. The political part of the plot, however, seem to be totally out of context and never fit into the overall story. I say this because this didn't make any difference in the story itself. It's totally dispensable. What happened here? Did the writer decided not to develop this subplot or Chinese CP demand that the film speak of this issue in a sort of political-historical revisionism? If the later was the true, it was something that did not really interest. China, however it tries to look like a westernized country, will only be truly modern with free and multiparty elections, a free press and freedom of opinion. None of these things exist behind the polluted and ultra-modern image that China likes to show us, and there is no smoke curtain strong enough for the Chinese dictatorship to hide that.Edward Norton and Naomi Watts are two well-known and talented actors. The two have already seen their names on the list of Oscar-nominated actors. They worked very well but Norton's character is more able of captivating public's affection, while she will have a long atonement ahead. Anyway, Watts was able to show the moral and psychological evolution of her character, and that was difficult even for a good actress. The remaining cast, unfortunately, is remarkably insignificant. Toby Jones is good enough but has little to do, as can Diana Rigg and Liev Schreiber. Better than them are the scenarios and cinematography. China has shown in this film some magnificent landscapes, which the film has been able to explore. The soundtrack has some excellent piano pieces of a mournful and sad tone, which harmonizes with the mists, disease and love affairs that are the core of the story itself.

I'm talking about the disease, not the woman, but she is dangerous as well. This is the second film version of the Somerset Maugham novel, already made as a classic film with Garbo, and now re-imagined as a film with Naomi Watts. She's presented as a selfish but unhappy woman, marrying disease researcher Edward Norton simply to get away from her harridan of a mother. But loveless marriage to the distant Norton brings her into the arms of the already married Liev Schreiber, resulting in an ugly confrontation with her husband and a possible farewell with her lover. Destiny takes her into the cholera ridden mountains of China where the Scarlet O'Hara like Watts must grow up quickly as she faces not only suffering from the dressed disease but a revolution as well filled with plenty of violence.Stunning photography brings a nearly century old China to life, like many other non-white parts of the world facing a hatred of whites for their seemingly obsessive plans to rule the world and lord over every nationality. Toby Jones is excellent as Norton's right hand man, and Diana Rigg provides wisdom and insight as a missionary nun who defends the Catholic church against the Church of England raised Watts by claiming it is obvious that her faith has taught her to believe pretty much in nothing. The Chinese characters are presented as wise but proud and loyal to old beliefs, with Rigg pointing out to Watts one young girl who adamantly refuses to be baptized, reminding me audience of the rich faiths outside of Christianity which are as godly as what a good majority of the world professes to believe. It took me a while to be emotionally drawn into this film as Watts, for much of the first half, really isn't all that likable, certainly not at all sympathetic. For that matter, neither are Norton or Schreiber. But it's a situation of lost souls needing to be re-found and for total atonement to be brought in to play. The stunning landscapes are further dramatized by a stunning musical score that is never over the top or intrusive. This is a top notch drama that remains epic in size, personal in heart, and strong in spirit. No masterpiece, but not worth missing, either. The ending is one that is a true triumph of the spirit over selfishness and a shining example of what it means to really grow up.

Watched this last night on Netflix. At first, was annoyed by Naomi Watt's heavy Australian accent bleeding through her British character's, along with Ed Norton's very weak accent.Once they went to China, everything changed. The scenery (filmed in Guilin, Guangxiprovince) is MAGNIFICENT. Interesting to watch the characters go fromloathing one another to a sort of reunion. Definitely worth a watch.Love the scenery, costumes, music, and melancholy lighting. Would haveliked to see more of Waddington.Jeez, I have to add more lines to my review. Most people have the attention span of a goldfish, IMDb! What else is there to say...wish I saw more from the Chinese character's points of view, so they weren't just stereotypes , i.e. Chinese Peasant #1. Would have liked to known more about the experiences of the French nuns--what gives them pleasure? How about seeing the local foods? There was a humorous scene where Dr. Fane meets up with a Chinese warlord--reminded me of the Supreme Leader of North Korea. Good movie, definitely if you can get though the dreary English scenes--where I wish more character development had occurred--you will love it. And Lieve Schreiber makes an excellent DOUCHEBAG character!

A moving tale of love/hate, obsession, despise where you will find yourself in capture sometimes with the Dr. Fane (Played by Edward Norton) and sometimes with Ms. Fane (Played by Naomi Watts). Both of them did a splendid job to keep there character through out the journey. Yet they are so far from their opinions , way of living , attitude towards life - this film depicts journey of those two paths which in time tries to follow the same path of love.Also, one of the best soundtrack that goes along with every emotion so well that you can not separate the beats and the moment in the movie. The movie is bit serious and does not have any light moments as you look through it which can be seen as one of the weak points.Director John Curran does a great job with the given script by slowly opening the revealing core of the lead characters. Capturing the beauty of rural china in the most unique way, also gives this movie a different feel than the other Romantic-drama films.Definitely worth a watch with your loved ones.I'll give this movie 7 and half Stars + extra half star for its beautiful background Score and Cinematography