A backdrop of beautiful Cornish countryside and moody candlelit interiors threatens to overshadow the tumultuous human relationships in this Gothic romantic drama.
Thankfully, director Roger Michell's adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 1951 novel just manages to balance the story with the handsome production design, in large part to a strong performance by Rachel Weisz.
A study in perception and misunderstandings in 19th-century England, My Cousin Rachel begins by introducing young country lad Philip Ashley (Sam Claflin), who's on the verge of taking control of the estate he inherited from his older cousin and father-figure Ambrose Ashley (also played by Claflin).
Ambrose married and died suddenly while convalescing in Italy, and Philip blames Ambrose's new wife Rachel (Weisz) for his death. When Rachel announces she's coming to visit the estate, Ambrose decides to confront her, joking that she may react with hysteria or a fainting episode.
Unfortunately for Ambrose, whose naivety about the world, women and relationships becomes strikingly obvious as this story unfolds, Rachel is not a woman who resorts to cliched feminine behaviour. Instead, she uses her beauty, intellect and charm to disarm Ambrose and the gossiping locals, and before long Ambrose is infatuated with his cousin's widow.
