In this adaptation of the 1888 novella by Henry James, Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays an American editor and biographer who travels to Venice in 1885 in hopes of securing love letters that Romantic poet Jeffrey Aspern (a fictional figure inspired by Lord Byron) wrote to his lover and muse before his early death decades ago. Vanessa Redgrave plays the former muse, now a reclusive dowager in a grand but neglected villa that is empty but for her spinster niece (Joely Richardson, Redgrave’s real-life daughter), whose own hopes seem all but smothered. The drama is ostensibly centered on the battle of wills between the American, played by Meyers with a flat inexpressive accent and equally stiff physical presence, and the enigmatic dowager, who Redgrave invests with worldly experience that is suggested in her tart remarks and withering glances. Unfortunately, the human drama never comes to life, as director Julien Landais takes a frustratingly literal approach to the project, filling it out with beautiful shots of Venice life while the almost sexless American rebuffs the interest of the young beauties of Venice society. It’s a handsome but lifeless production that is only notable for the fine performances from Redgrave and Richardson. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” featurette (13 min.) and a segment with executive producer James Ivory, producer Gabriela Bacher, and co-screenwriter Julien Landais (8 min.). Bottom line: a decent extras package for a disappointing film.] (S. Axmaker)
The Aspern Papers
Cohen, 90 min., R, DVD: $25.99, Blu-ray: $30.99 Volume 34, Issue 4
The Aspern Papers
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