The Painted Veil: Review By Brokaw

Naomi Watts and Edward Norton star in this high drama set in the 1920s. They are a proper young English couple, Kitty and Walter, who move to Shanghai where he is a bacteriologist. Kitty finds her life in China a bit boring, and soon enters into an affair with the English Vice Consul (Liev Schreiber). This alleviates her boredom and homesickness, and she really believes he loves her. So much so, when her husband discovers her affair, he agrees to let her divorce him only on the account that this man divorces his wife and marries Kitty. When this is not going to be the case, Kitty returns to Walter, somewhat broken but ready to commit to their marriage. Walter, on the other hand, has been hurt too badly to pick up where they left off.

Upon hearing of a cholera epidemic in a distant town, Walter agrees to go to the village, and insists Kitty come with him. It is his revenge for her betrayal, and while there the two become more distant. However things change and they discover the reason they were attracted to each other in the first place. They find caring qualities in each other and come to fully appreciate each other. As they grow closer, the epidemic grows more dangerous, and it is the worst circ*mstance in which two young people should find themselves, especially when they are just beginning their lives together.

After rediscovering their love, Kitty and Walter share some good memories, memories that will have to last a life time.

This is a truly dramatic film that at times feels a little longer than the 125 minutes of run time. It is rated PG-13.