Respond to these rapid questions in our My Cousin Rachel quiz and we will tell you which My Cousin Rachel character you are. Play it now.
In the beginning of this film, there are a few noncommittal scenic shots of rural England and a man saying in voiceover, “Did she? Didn’t she, didn’t she? “Who’s to blame?” you might wonder. “Well, that’s not the same as ‘Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again,'” I thought when I heard it. Perhaps unfairly, but “My Cousin Rachel,” like Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rebecca,” is based on a novel by Daphne du Maurier, a master of the moody semi-Gothic romantic thriller who was also a member of the Hitchcock family.
The novel “My Cousin Rachel” by Daphne du Maurier, on the other hand, begins with a completely different and much more intriguing line: “They used to hang men at Four Turnings in the olden days.” One aspect of this film, written and directed by Roger Michell, that I’m assuming is a new conception of its protagonist, the novel’s unreliable narrator, is that it is set in the present day. After pondering who is to blame, Philip narrates a brief account of his upbringing and adulthood. Orphaned, he was raised by an adult cousin named Ambrose and was eventually sent to school. Philip admits that he has never been a big fan of books. He admits to having little interest in anything other than hanging out with Ambrose in a dusty mansion that looks like the gatefold sleeve of a Jethro Tull album from the mid-70s. Ambrose owns and operates some sort of land-based business, and he has a large number of employees walking around with scythes. When cousin Ambrose falls ill and is sent to Italy, Philip insists that this is exactly what he wants because that is what you did when you were sick and lived in England. But, oh no, cousin Ambrose falls ill and is sent to Italy because that is exactly what you did when you were sick and lived in England. As a result, Ambrose begins writing letters to his cousins, including a young woman named Rachel, to describe his recovery and the TLC he is receiving from her. Then comes the devastating news of Ambrose’s death. Philip is both heartbroken and enraged, and he holds this Rachel person responsible. Philip swears vengeance on his godfather, who also happens to be his estate lawyer, and on his daughter Louise, who is clearly in love with the young now-master-of-Ambrose’s-estate. Then there’s Rachel, who shows up.
Rachel Weisz portrays her, so you know what I’m talking about. To be sure, the rapidity with which Philip transforms from would-be assassin to slack jawed, google-eyed “let me give you all my mother’s jewelry” dope is a little startling. She is initially required to remain at the mansion, which he and Louise have managed to transform into something more Jane Austen than Jethro Tull in style. After that, he grants her access to his financial accounts. On his 25th birthday, he finally makes the decision to hand over all of his worldly possessions to her. To which he wishes to receive, but is not quite so impolite as to state his desires out loud.
But you shouldn’t waste any more time and start this My Cousin Rachel quiz.
When intercepted letters and other items begin to raise questions about Rachel’s seemingly pure and true character, as well as when Philip contracts a nasty virus that may be related to the herbal “tisanes” that Rachel concocts and practically forces-feeds the fellow, this is an arguably juicy story to follow. “My Cousin Rachel,” on the other hand, is an impossibly plodding film. From the moment it opens, it’s constantly implying danger and heightened emotion, but never actually evoking either of these feelings. But it is Sam Claflin’s performance as Philip who is the most egregious failure in this movie. Rael Jones’ music is the primary culprit, but his performance is the film’s most egregious failure. Claflin establishes the character as a kind of period bro from the very first minute, albeit one whose default mode of dealing with his environment is a sneering entitled truculence that he calls his own.
My Cousin Rachel Quiz
The character’s ingenuity is intended to be a virtue, or so I believe, but Claflin’s sneering, furniture-smashing, and banality make Philip impossible to care about or identify with. Weisz is given little to do in this film other than be tender and/or affronted; the plot, as it has been adapted for this film, is predicated on her character’s being somewhat unknowable, so we’re left with a good-looking cipher, which is no fault of Weisz’s. Michell’s direction, on the other hand, is both overstated and incoherent. There are several instances where plot threads are inexplicably left hanging, only to be picked up at a later point when the viewer has been forced to move on from them. When it comes to individual shots, focus tricks and unwarranted camera movements intended to elicit a sense of unease are met with blank stares and the question, “what’s THAT about?” This appears to be a film directed by someone who has completely forgotten how to direct. You may enjoy “Notting Hill,” but I preferred “Venus.” Michell has made watchable films in the past; you may enjoy “Notting Hill,” but I preferred “Venus.”
Also, you will find out which character are you in this My Cousin Rachel quiz.
It should be noted that the novel by Daphne du Maurier was made into a film several years ago, starring Olivia de Havilland in the title role and a young Richard Burton as Philip. Big shoes to fill, but I honestly don’t believe that was an issue during the production of this film (the film is not well-remembered today except by devoted fans of its stars). I’m afraid that one of the difficulties with this “My Cousin Rachel” is that it’s difficult to come up with any issue or reason that could be related to its creation.
For more personality quizzes check this: Wolf Warrior 2 Quiz.
