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Angels and Insects (1995)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
In a visually impressive costume drama the closeted life of a country family is upset by lower-class visitor, William Adamson (Mark Rylance). His misfortune was to be ship-wrecked while journeying back from the Amazon jungle, after carrying out pioneering work on insects. This interest in entomology, however, produced the offer of accomodation by an insect-obsessed gentleman in his rural mansion. The other occupants of this isolated house are his wife, son, daughters and an army of servants - not the sort of place where a working Northern lad fits in. William trys his best though as he is swept into a world of balls, garden parties, snobbery and maids who turn to face the wall whenever you come near.

One of the daughters, Eugenia (Patsy Kensit), attracts the attention and pity of William even though he knows that they can never be together, due to their backgrounds. With irridescent clouds of butterflies and true understanding he woos Eugenia into marriage, a timely move when a younger sister is also engaged. Despite opposition from the son, for no obvious reason other than genetic purity, they marry with the full blessing of her religious father. Here the film enters a period where the years fly by, the evidence is several children and occasional bouts of athletic sex, while the story moves at glacial pace. Members of the family move in and out of focus, the most interesting of whom is cousin Matty (Kristin Scott-Thomas). Her plain looks conceal a fierce intelligence, fine education and gift for understanding and drawing insects.

William experiences a growing frustration with the inhibited nature of the family and, especially, the changeable nature of his wife. The outlet for his energy becomes a collaboration with Matty into the study of ants, a task which will both educate the children and provide material for a book. This leads into a lot of close-up insect photography interspersed with vignettes of the family, such as the fact that the son likes to deflower pre-pubescent female servants. Eventually some even more unsavoury facets emerge (what's an anagram of insect?) precipitating a decision for William, which may have been years in gestation - it's difficult to tell!

This is very much a visual film with fabulous costumes, and memorable set decoration, which lend an air of unreality to the story. Unfortunately the acting is generally wooden, the script leaden and the pace lethargic. The only stand-out performance is by Scott-Thomas who subtly indicates the depths of Matty and her desires. This is a clear case of a story which has a strong premise, a good ending and no idea how to connect the two. My reasons for rating this movie at the 3-star level are the magnificant costumes, the images and the slightly displaced atmosphere. On the other hand, if you're more interested in a plot and convincing acting then don't bother with Angels and Insects, you probably won't like it.

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