The Painted Veil (2006) is a poignant romantic drama based on W. Somerset Maugham’s 1925 novel of the same name. Directed by John Curran, and starring Naomi Watts and Edward Norton, the film offers a deeply emotional journey of love, betrayal, redemption, and self-discovery, all set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of 1920s China during a cholera outbreak.
Detailed Summary
A Troubled Marriage
Kitty (Naomi Watts), a spirited and shallow young woman from London, hastily marries Walter Fane (Edward Norton), a reserved bacteriologist who is deeply in love with her. She agrees to the marriage not out of love, but to escape her family. Soon after their move to Shanghai, she begins an affair with a charming diplomat, Charlie Townsend (Liev Schreiber). Walter, coldly heartbroken upon discovering the affair, gives her an ultimatum: accompany him to a remote Chinese village ravaged by cholera, or face a very public divorce.
Journey into the Heart of Suffering
Kitty reluctantly agrees to accompany Walter. They arrive in Mei-tan-fu, a town severely affected by the cholera epidemic. As they both navigate the brutal conditions, Kitty slowly begins to see another side of Walter. His selfless dedication to curing the disease and helping the suffering population earns her respect and, eventually, affection.
During this period, Kitty also spends time at a local convent run by French nuns, where she finds meaning and perspective in service and compassion. She witnesses acts of kindness and self-sacrifice that begin to reshape her worldview.
Transformation and Redemption
The emotional distance between Kitty and Walter gradually begins to close. They reconnect through shared hardship and mutual respect. Kitty eventually falls in love with Walter, discovering depths of character in him she had never previously appreciated. Their emotional reconciliation is subtle and deeply moving.
However, just as their relationship is truly healing, tragedy strikes. Walter contracts cholera while treating the infected. Kitty cares for him tenderly, but he ultimately succumbs to the illness. His death is quiet, sorrowful, and filled with the unspoken love they had just begun to rediscover.
Years Later
The film flashes forward several years. Kitty, now a mother, is living back in London with her young son, who is likely Walter’s child. She encounters Charlie Townsend again, who assumes she might still care for him. However, Kitty has matured and moved on. She firmly rebuffs him, signifying her growth and independence. In the final moments, she walks away with her son, ready to embrace life with newfound strength.
Movie Ending
The film ends on a somber yet uplifting note. Kitty, having endured personal loss and emerged transformed, walks with her son through the streets of London. Her emotional arc is complete—she is no longer the naive, self-involved woman from the start, but someone deeply changed by love, loss, and hardship. There’s closure, but not in the neat, romantic sense. It’s more realistic, more bittersweet.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Painted Veil does not include any post-credits scenes. The story concludes definitively with Kitty’s emotional journey, and the credits roll quietly, underscoring the film’s reflective and dramatic tone.
Type of Movie
This film is a period romantic drama with strong themes of redemption, emotional growth, and love in the face of adversity. It’s both a character study and a philosophical meditation on relationships, identity, and purpose.
Cast
- Naomi Watts as Kitty Fane
- Edward Norton as Dr. Walter Fane
- Liev Schreiber as Charlie Townsend
- Toby Jones as Waddington
- Diana Rigg as Mother Superior
- Anthony Wong as Colonel Yu
Film Music and Composer
The hauntingly beautiful score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, whose music perfectly complements the film’s emotional gravitas. The music blends Eastern and Western styles, using strings and piano to underscore the melancholy and poetic tone of the narrative.
Filming Locations
The film was primarily shot in China, including Guizhou Province, Huangshan, and Shanghai. The use of authentic locations adds a remarkable sense of realism and atmosphere. The lush, misty landscapes of rural China mirror the emotional landscape of the characters—beautiful but full of quiet, haunting tension.
Awards and Nominations
- Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score – Won (Alexandre Desplat)
- Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography – Won (Stuart Dryburgh)
- Nominated for multiple Satellite Awards, BFCA Awards, and received considerable acclaim for its cinematography and musical score.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Edward Norton was not only the lead actor but also a producer on the film and was instrumental in getting it made.
- The film took years to develop due to rights issues and scheduling conflicts.
- Naomi Watts and Edward Norton both praised the immersive experience of filming in remote parts of China.
- The local extras used in village scenes were real residents, adding authenticity to the setting.
- Director John Curran aimed to focus more on the emotional core of the story than on the political backdrop of the time.
Inspirations and References
The film is directly adapted from W. Somerset Maugham’s novel, which itself was inspired by real events Maugham witnessed while traveling through China. While the basic plot remains intact, the movie takes a more romantic and emotional tone compared to the novel’s more detached and ironic style.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no widely known alternate endings. However, some scenes exploring Kitty’s emotional state in more depth were trimmed during editing to maintain pacing and focus. The final film was shaped to keep the story centered tightly around the evolving relationship between Kitty and Walter.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Compared to the novel:
- The film version softens Walter’s character, making him more sympathetic and less vindictive than in the book.
- The romantic reconciliation is more emotionally satisfying in the movie, while the book maintains a tone of emotional distance.
- The movie gives Kitty a more hopeful and empowered ending, which contrasts with the book’s more ambiguous closure.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Walter confronting Kitty about her affair, then silently punishing her by taking her to the cholera-infected village.
- Kitty playing piano at the convent, offering a rare moment of peace amidst suffering.
- Walter and Kitty laughing together at a waterfall—a fleeting moment of joy in a grim setting.
- Walter’s deathbed, where Kitty reads to him tenderly.
Iconic Quotes
- Walter: “You don’t have to love me, but we’re going to do this together.”
- Kitty: “When love and duty are one, grace is within you.”
- Mother Superior: “Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The title The Painted Veil is a reference to a Percy Bysshe Shelley poem, alluding to the illusions people live behind and the painful beauty of truth.
- The nuns in the convent are based on real Catholic missionaries active in 1920s China.
- Walter’s obsessive washing of hands and equipment subtly foreshadows his own vulnerability to the disease.
Trivia
- This is the third film adaptation of the novel; previous versions were released in 1934 and 1957.
- The film was independently financed, with Edward Norton taking a pay cut to get it made.
- Naomi Watts and Edward Norton developed their characters extensively in rehearsals before filming began.
- The original novel’s setting was Hong Kong, but was changed for greater dramatic impact.
Why Watch?
The Painted Veil is for viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas, slow-burn romance, and stunning cinematography. It’s a rare film that balances emotional complexity with breathtaking visual storytelling. If you’re in the mood for a movie that feels like a novel, this is it.
Director’s Other Movies
- Tracks (2013)
- We Don’t Live Here Anymore (2004)
- Chappaquiddick (2017)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Atonement (2007)
- The English Patient (1996)
- Out of Africa (1985)
- Cold Mountain (2003)
- The Remains of the Day (1993)
