I agree with you about the ending being somewhat disappointing. I expected the Kitty who had finally seen through the superficial Townsend would at least laugh in his face when he made his advance on her (in his own house, no less!). I don't know whether this scene speaks of Kitty's fragile redemption or the incredible power of sex (good sex, that is). The movie was true to the book up until the point where Walter and Kitty made love, and thereafter it diverged from the book (Kitty had already had her baby). I did find the scene where Townsend encounters her with the boy; it seemed a bit contrived. It's as if the producers (Edward Norton and Naomi Watts) wished the movie to have a happier ending than the book. There is also quite a contrast between the depiction of Walter in the book and that of him in the movie; he seems more desirable and less 'milk toast' than he's portrayed by Maugham. In a weird way the relationship between Kitty and Walter reminded me of Rhett and Scarlett. Too late the heroine finds out she can love a wimp/scallywag. I really loved both the book and the movie. I shall read more of WSM.
The Painted Veil also made me vow to read more WSM.
I never saw the movie. I'm not a movie buff as I'm too succeptible to tension and manipulation. There are very few movies in which I can trust enough to relax and enjoy the story. I loved WSM's writing but the ending felt like he set the partly-written story aside for 3 months and came back to it months later to write the ending in one sitting. It is an ending but not the correct one for this windup. Oh well, mostly everything else is incredible.
I agree with you about the ending being somewhat disappointing. I expected the Kitty who had finally seen through the superficial Townsend would at least laugh in his face when he made his advance on her (in his own house, no less!). I don't know whether this scene speaks of Kitty's fragile redemption or the incredible power of sex (good sex, that is). The movie was true to the book up until the point where Walter and Kitty made love, and thereafter it diverged from the book (Kitty had already had her baby). I did find the scene where Townsend encounters her with the boy; it seemed a bit contrived. It's as if the producers (Edward Norton and Naomi Watts) wished the movie to have a happier ending than the book. There is also quite a contrast between the depiction of Walter in the book and that of him in the movie; he seems more desirable and less 'milk toast' than he's portrayed by Maugham. In a weird way the relationship between Kitty and Walter reminded me of Rhett and Scarlett. Too late the heroine finds out she can love a wimp/scallywag. I really loved both the book and the movie. I shall read more of WSM.
Carole
The Painted Veil also made me vow to read more WSM.
I never saw the movie. I'm not a movie buff as I'm too succeptible to tension and manipulation. There are very few movies in which I can trust enough to relax and enjoy the story. I loved WSM's writing but the ending felt like he set the partly-written story aside for 3 months and came back to it months later to write the ending in one sitting. It is an ending but not the correct one for this windup. Oh well, mostly everything else is incredible.
Interesting. I've read nowhere near all of Maugham's stories, but this one is a favourite so far.
Same here. Thanks for reading (or listening) to my review.