Tulip Fever: 2/5
Directed by Justin Chadwick, 'Tulip Fever' is a romance-period drama based on Moggach’s 1999 novel. The film enlists a star-studded cast with Alicia Vikander portraying Sophia who is betrothed to Cornelius (Christoph Waltz), a wealthy merchant who is desperate to produce an heir who can inherit his fortune. Set in Amsterdam during the height of the tulip trade of the 17th-Century, Sophia falls in love with a young painter who has been requested to commission a painting for the couple. Their romance becomes the central focus of the film's narrative, with Sophia trying to satisfy her husband’s needs whilst pursuing her elopement with the painter. Upon initial release, the film was criticised for the lack of chemistry between its main characters and the plots historical inaccuracy. It was later criticised and brought to the forefront of discussions surrounding Harvey Weinstein, whose company oversaw the distribution of the film.
Like many critics, I found the relationship between Sophia and Jan to be incredibly lacklustre compared to the courtship between the household maid Maria and the local fishmonger who visits her in secret. Despite the absence of chemistry between the main protagonists, the setting of the film and the costume design is visually appealing, with costume designer Michael O’Connor designing a lavish wardrobe for the cast. If you like historical-romance dramas then you may like this film, but if you are interested in the plot but not visuals then you will be disappointed. 'Tulip Fever' could have been a success if the dialogue and narrative focused on the tulip trade and less on the character's pursuit of romance and secretive love triangles. There are moments throughout the film that are promising but overall the ending lacks structure and fails to bloom like the precious tulips of Amsterdam.
Watch the trailer for 'Tulip Fever' in the link above and let me know what you think!
(Director: Justin Chadwick, Starring: Alicia Vikander, Christoph Walzt, Dane DeHann, Jack O'Connell, Holliday Grainger)
Comments