The Wyvern Mystery

Based on a novel by formerly popular 19th-century author J. S. Le Fanu, this otherwise middling PBS Mystery! two-parter from 2000 definitely has one thing going for it: Naomi Watts, who later showed her acting chops in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive. Not readily recognizable, Watts shines here as Alice Maybell, who was raised as an orphan by Squire Fairfield (Derek Jacobi). All grown up, the lovely Alice is preyed upon by the Squire and flees his guardianship, taking with her his handsome son, Charles (Iain Glen), only to find their bliss short-lived when a dark secret finally rears its ugly head. Full of the usual gothic trappings--evil personages, hidden motives, and gloomy halls--The Wyvern Mystery takes a while to weave its twisty yarn; still, the escalating revelations build to a sufficiently startling climax. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include the DVD-ROM accessible Le Fanu novel Carmilla. Bottom line: DVD-ROM is perhaps not the best format for reading a book, but the film itself still warrants consideration.] (T. Rich)