The Painted Veil

I'm a great fan of Somerset Maugham and I think he's an under rated novellist. Most of his books have been made into films - but generally not recently. He's coming back into favour again, and I'm glad. This film is a better than average adaptation of his novel 'The Painted Veil'. Like most Maugham works there are the usual elements - the Far East, Colonial times, British 'values' under pressure in exotic climes, melodrama, suppressed emotions bursting out inappropriately and receiving sometimes undeserved punishment.
In this case Kitty has been drawn into a loveless (well on her side at least) marriage with Walter to escape her unrelenting mother. Walter is a bacteriologist in Shanghai. Kitty is bored in China and (as always) turns elsewhere for entertainment and pleasure. Discovering her infidelity Walter blackmails her into coming with him to a cholera ridden area of China. Here she is in danger from disease, and the activities of the Nationalists who are seething with hatred of all foreigners (especially the British).
As ever with Maugham there is redemption to be found and surprises as the relationship between Kitty and Walter is affected by circumstance and those around them (including the wonderful Diana Rigg as a Mother Superior).
This wasn't the greatest adaptation - tedious in places, but always raised above the banal by excellent acting - and a terrific screenplay. Rating: 8/10