Review: My Cousin Rachel
Set in 19th
Century England, Richard Burton plays a young man who has grown up idolising
his guardian John Sutton (making the most of a brief role), who years later
sends Burton letters indicating that his new wife Rachel (Olivia De Havilland-
wonderfully ambiguous in a role Greta Garbo and Vivien Leigh thankfully turned
down), whom he romanced in Italy, is trying to poison him. But upon meeting his
‘cousin’ Rachel back home (after the old man’s eventual death), he becomes
intensely infatuated with her. Surely she can’t be a heartless gold-digging
black widow? Ronald Squire is perfectly able, as wise counsel to Burton.
Brilliantly
moody, expertly acted, 1952 Gothic melodrama from director Henry Koster (“Harvey”, “The Virgin Queen”) deserves to be just as well-known as (and in my
view, moreso than) Hitchock’s overrated “Rebecca”,
both being film versions of Daphne Du Maurier Gothic mysteries. This one’s got
the superbly brooding and intense Burton, outstanding in his first Hollywood
outing. It’s one of the most aching and intensely pained performances of his
career and was deservingly nominated for an Oscar, though strangely for
Supporting Actor...um, he plays the main frigging character! Plus there’s a
terrifically layered (and uncharacteristic) performance by the always excellent
De Havilland, who is entirely different from long-suffering cousin Melanie in “Gone With the Wind” (and who keeps you
guessing about her character’s intentions from beginning to end- and maybe even
afterwards!)..
Wonderfully
evocative, Oscar-nominated B&W cinematography by Joseph LaShelle (“Laura”, “Marty”, “The Apartment”),
this is a film to look out for, folks, particularly for fans of the stars (who
unlike the stiff stars of “Rebecca”,
actually make you care about their characters, the fiery Burton especially makes
Larry Olivier seem like he was in a coma during “Rebecca”).
Rating: B+
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