The Governess

1998

The Governess

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

The Governess Photos

View All Photos

Movie Info

Set in England between the Georgian and Victorian eras, The Governess takes its title from a young Jewish woman who, after the death of her father, is offered the job of nanny for the gentile Cavendish family on the Isle of Skye off the coast of London. When Rosina Da Silva (Minnie Driver) changes her name to Mary Blackchurch to take the job, she is quickly taken in by the family as one of their own. But things become complicated as Mary discovers the experiments Mr. Cavendish (Tom Wilkinson) is conducting behind the locked doors of his laboratory. Cavendish is close to discovering how to develop photographic images, and as he and Mary start working together on the project, their romantic attraction becomes irresistibly passionate.

Rating:

R (for sexuality and nudity)
Genre:

Art House & International, Drama, Romance
Directed By:

Sandra Goldbacher
Written By:

Sandra Goldbacher
In Theaters:

Jul 31, 1998 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Feb 16, 1999
Runtime:

114 minutes
Studio:

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Watch it now

Cast

Minnie Driver
as Rosina da Silva

Tom Wilkinson
as Mr. Charles Cavendish

Harriet Walter
as Mrs. Cavendish

Florence Hoath
as Clementina Cavendish

Bruce Myers
as Rosina's Father

Emma Bird
as Becca

Arlene Cockburn
as Lily Milk

Adam Levy
as Benjamin

Bruce Meyers

Countess Koulinskyi
as Aunt Sofka

Diana Brooks
as Rosina's Mother

Raymond Brody
as Litnoff

Jonathan Rhys Meyers
as Henry Cavendish

Olga
as Leonora

Cyril Shaps
as Doctor

Kendal Cramer
as Young Rosina

Ralph Riach
as Mr. Hewlett

Joe Bromley
as Prostitute

Stephen Robbins
as Rabbi

View All

Critic Reviews for The Governess

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (7) | DVD (1)

If Jane Austen or a Brontë sister were inclined to revolve their tale of forbidden love and parlor room intrigue around a Jewish heroine, The Governess would undoubtedly resemble the result.

Jul 15, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

Jordan Hiller
Bangitout.com
A beautifully crafted drama set in England during the 1840s about feminine intuition, creativity, and passion.

Mar 3, 2002 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
A heavy going but at times embroiling drama.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Goldbacher, in her first feature, has tied together many ideas about photography, dreams and love, and presented them both fairly and exquisitely.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

Peter Henne
Film Journal International
for sheer visual elegance, 'The Governess' has few equals, and the magnificence of its imagery more than compensates for its somewhat overheated story.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for The Governess

Sep 28, 2011

A London bred jewess takes the job of governess for a gentile scientist's family on the Isle of Skye. Can Victorian scandal be far behind? Interesting tale with excellent performances, particularly by Driver and Wilkinson.

Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
Jan 20, 2010

There you go Minnie Driver. There is life after Matt Damon after all! Too bad we hardly see you anymore. The Governess was a good platform for you. Where did you jump?

John B Super Reviewer
May 31, 2007

very erotic yet without the sex, some very emotional scenes and minnie driver looking as alluring as ever while portraying a jewess quite authentically if you ask me. well directed also

Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer