BOSOMS heave, hoop skirts flutter and britches swell in Charlie Stratton’s torrid tale of forbidden passion based on Emile Zola’s scandalous 1867 novel, Therese Raquin. For all the lustful glances and whimpering surrenders to carnal desire on-screen, audiences are likely to remain unflustered.
As a child, Therese (Lily Laight) is abandoned by her father (Matt Devere) in the care of a domineering aunt, Madame Raquin (Jessica Lange) and sickly cousin, Camille (Dimitrije Bogdanov). The boy’s persistent coughing keeps Therese awake at night so by the time she turns 21, Therese (now played by Elizabeth Olsen) is wearily devoted to Camille (Tom Felton) as a nursemaid. Madame Raquin orchestrates a marriage and Camille secures employment as a clerk in Paris while Therese serves behind the counter of Madame’s shop.
Out of the blue, Camille’s old friend Laurent (Oscar Isaac) visits the Raquins and ignites Therese’s dormant desires. Sadly the chemistry between Olsen and Isaac barely simmers and Felton’s much-abused husband is an insipid wimp.
Damon Smith
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