****
Convinced that the mysterious Rachel who suddenly appears in his late cousin's letters was the reason for his demise, orphaned Philip plots his revenge. However, his plans go awry upon meeting the woman herself, and he finds himself falling under her spell...
Whilst watching My Cousin Rachel it occurred to me that we haven't had a gothic story that doesn't descend into ridiculousness (Crimson Peak, we're looking at you!) in a while. And it was somehow so refreshing to enjoy a story that relied upon the audience's interpretation of what was really happening than having it spelt out for you, much like the lately-released Lady Macbeth. The tale itself is a claustrophobic one, with only four characters given any notable screen time, whilst the majority of the proceedings are taken up with Sam Claflin's obsessive Philip and Rachel Weisz's beguiling Rachel. Set in the sweeping, rugged landscape of the Cornish coast and largely set within capacious, candle-lit houses, the film does indeed portray all the idiosyncrasies associated with a du Maurier novel, and it does it well. Under Roger Michell's (who also adapted the text for screen) guidance, the film eloquently captures the largely isolated environment, a space in which obsession can grow.
Whilst Claflin once again demonstrates his prowess as one of the most reliable actors working today, the film is nonetheless Weisz's, who plays the eponymous Rachel as a charming, troubled and ultimately unknowable female figure. Clad largely in black throughout and often perceived in candlelight, her witch-esque appearance cannot be denied - even the dogs seem to be drawn to her. In one scene, Rachel and Philip argue, and Weisz exits the room with a look of sheer venom on her face - is she planning revenge from then, or is she simply trying to make a point about female oppression? Supported by Rael Jones' haunting, piano-centric score, the sense of impending doom soon blooms and flourishes, and yet the conclusion remains open and ambiguous - who was the guilty party? What was really happening?
Solidly made and with a real respect for the gothic genre as a whole, My Cousin Rachel is an intriguing (if formulaic) tale of obsession and suspicion. But, as nothing is ever confirmed, the audience is left to ponder the occurrences afterwards. Excellently shot and featuring a host of pitch-perfect performances, it quickly draws you in and leaves you enraptured.
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