Synopsis :
Set in the 1830s, the story centers on Rosina da Silva, the sophisticated elder daughter in a wealthy Jewish family living in London. When her father is murdered on the street and leaves behind numerous debts, she forsakes an arranged marriage to an older suitor, transforms herself into Mary Blackchurch – a Protestant of partial Italian descent – in order to conceal her heritage, and accepts a position as a governess for a Scottish family living on the Isle of Skye in the Hebrides. Patriarch Charles Cavendish is a man of science intent on solving the problem of retaining a photographic image on paper, while his wife flounders in a sea of ennui. Their young daughter Clementina initially resists Mary’s discipline, but eventually finds in her a friend and companion.
Mary, well-educated and unusually curious for a female in an era when a woman’s primary focus is keeping house and attending to the needs of her family, surprises Charles with the depth of her interest in his work and becomes his assistant. The admiration he feels for the young woman soon turns into a passion that is reciprocated by Mary, but eventually he finds himself torn between his feelings for her and his dedication to his work.
Complications ensue when Henry Cavendish returns home after being expelled from Oxford University for smoking opium and becomes obsessed with Mary. While searching through her belongings, he uncovers evidence of her true background, and although he confesses to her he knows about her past, he promises to keep it their secret.
Charles discovers a nude photograph of himself Mary took while he was asleep following a session of lovemaking in his laboratory, and he begins to shun her, going so far as to claim credit for a technique she discovered when a fellow scientist visits. Angered by his rebuff and betrayal, Mary leaves the island and returns to London, but not before presenting Mrs. Cavendish with the picture of her naked husband. Once home, she reverts to her true identity and becomes a photographer noted for her distinct images of Jewish people.
Starring :
Minnie Driver … Rosina da Silva
Tom Wilkinson … Mr. Charles Cavendish
Harriet Walter … Mrs. Cavendish
Florence Hoath … Clementina Cavendish
Bruce Myers … Rosina’s Father
Jonathan Rhys Meyers … Henry Cavendish
Arlene Cockburn … Lily Milk, the Maid
Emma Bird … Rebecca
Adam Levy … Benjamin
Countess Koulinskyi … Aunt Sofka (as The Countess Koulinskyi)
Diana Brooks … Rosina’s Mother
Raymond Brody … Litnoff
Cyril Shaps … Doctor
Kendal Cramer … Young Rosina
Ralph Riach … Mr. Hewlett
Director :
Sandra Goldbacher
