Henry James novels aggressively updated> ‘Wings of the Dove’ a standout adaptation of James novel

“The Wings of the Dove,” directed by Iain Softley. Written by Hossein Amini, based on the novel by Henry James. Running time: 103 minutes. Rated R (for nudity and sexuality). Nightly, Dec. 29-Jan. 8, Railroad Square Cinema, Waterville.

Just as Jane Austen had retreated to the quiet of her literary casket after the successful cinematic adaptations of her novels “Emma,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Persuasion” and “Pride and Prejudice,” Henry James swings into theaters with two adaptations of his novels “Washington Square” and “The Wings of the Dove.”

The results are favorable even if these aggressively updated adaptations would have left James with a bit of indigestion had he been alive to see them.

“Washington Square,” which stars Jennifer Jason Leigh as heiress Catherine Sloper and Ben Chaplin as the ardent — yet handsome and charming — Morris Townsend, is a feminist interpretation of the text by director Agnieszka Holland, who brought us “Europa, Europa” and “Olivier, Olivier.” It is a film ripe with fiery emotions, slamming doors, heaving bosoms and people shouting as they throw themselves at everyone and anything. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, the film somehow works as an emotional drama that is not so much a vulgarization of James’ novel as it is a passionate interpretation of it. Leigh and Chaplin are very good here, if at times over the top, and the film is recommended.

But Iain Softley’s adaptation of James’ 1902 novel “The Wings of the Dove” is the standout. The film likely likely be Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, Best Costume Design and Best Actress for Helena Bonham Carter’s solid performance as Kate Croy. However, in the wake of James Cameron’s “Titanic,” it is doubtful “Wings” will actually win any of these awards with the possible exception of Bonham Carter, whose performance is on par with Kate Winslet’s in “Titanic” and Judi Dench’s in “Mrs. Brown.”

“The Wings of the Dove” is the story of Kate Croy, a beautiful young woman whose father is an opium addict and whose mother is dead. Without money or a place to live, she is invited into the elegant townhouse of her wealthy aunt Maude (Charlotte Rampling), a conniving member of aristocracy who is determined to marry Kate off to a rich husband of high social standing.

But Kate already is in love with Merton Densher (Linus Roache), a good-looking but ill-paid journalist her aunt has forbidden her to see because Merton’s middle-class life is deemed unacceptable. Not brave enough to accept a middle-class existence and not wanting herself or her father to be cut off financially by her aunt, Kate agrees to give Merton up.

Three months pass before the two lovers meet again at a party, where Kate also meets wealthy Millie Theale (Alison Elliott), a young, kind-hearted American who quickly and unwittingly becomes part of a sinister plot Kate devises in an effort to win Merton back. In Venice, where the trio escape for vacation, their bond tightens along the city’s darkened canals, within the swirling masses of a masked ball, and within the very palazzo Henry James once owned himself.

That one person leaves Venice in a casket gives this complex film an emotional weight James’ novel lacked. Kate is not so evil here as she is in the book. Instead she is softer, at times almost sympathetic — even as her plan to fatten Merton’s bank account goes horribly awry.

Grade: A

Video of the Week

“Emma,” a comedy written and directed by Douglas McGrath, based on the novel by Jane Austen. Running time: 111 minutes. Rated PG.

Speaking of Jane Austen, why not rent one of the better film adaptations of her novels? In “Emma,” Gwyneth Paltrow is surprisingly good as Emma Woodhouse, the beautiful and spoiled daughter of an 18th-century widower and a self-proclaimed matchmaker in search of a husband for her middle-class friend, Harriet Smith (Toni Collette of “Muriel’s Wedding”). Emma finds a likely candidate in Rev. Elton (Alan Cumming) and quickly begins insisting that Harriet give the man a chance even though Harriet would sooner marry a local farmer and Rev. Elton, it turns out, is smitten with Emma.

But Emma has no use for marriage. She is more than content to sit on her considerable wealth and tamper with the lives of others … until the handsome Frank Churchill (Ewan McGregor) rides into town, catches her eye and proves to be Emma’s match.

Gorgeously filmed and written with a sharp wit that never lags, this film is an excellent tonic after viewing the solid but ultimately depressing “The Wings of the Dove.”

Grade: A-

Christopher Smith, a writer and critic who lives in Brewer, reviews films each Monday in the NEWS.