The Invisible Woman

Ralph Fiennes stars in and directs this romantic drama about the scandalous affair between celebrated English novelist Charles Dickens and a young actress named Ellen “Nelly” Ternan. In 1857, 45-year-old Dickens (Fiennes) is thoroughly enjoying his fortune and fame, relishing every public appearance before an adoring audience. But his longtime marriage to stoic Catherine (Joanna Scanlan)—who has borne him 10 children—has gone sour. Born into a theatrical family, 18-year-old Nelly Ternan (Felicity Jones) sadly lacks acting talent, much to the chagrin of her protective mother (Kristin Scott Thomas)—who views an illicit liaison with the distinguished Dickens as her daughter's greatest opportunity. But prim Nelly is understandably fearful, particularly when energetic, enthusiastic Dickens takes her to visit his friend, Wilkie Collins (Tom Hollander), who is happily cohabiting with a woman to whom he's not married. Adapted from Claire Tomalin's 1991 biography, the story is cleverly bookended by sequences in the windswept seaside resort town of Margate, where troubled, middle-aged Nelly—now-married to the staid headmaster of the local school (Tom Burke)—furiously paces the beach, as if pursued by demons. Elegantly directed with meticulous, Victorian restraint—depicting a time when women were suffocated by restrictive manners and morals—The Invisible Woman is a dark and secretive tale from the shadows of literary history. Recommended. [Note: Blu-ray/DVD Combo set extras include audio commentary by stars Ralph Fiennes and Felicity Jones, a SAG Foundation conversation with Fiennes and Jones (27 min.), the “Toronto International Film Festival Press Conference” with Fiennes and Jones (21 min.), an “On the Red Carpet at the Toronto Premiere” featurette (17 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for this compelling historical drama.] (S. Granger)