‘The Invisible Woman’ features love in the time of Charles Dickens

The Invisible Woman is a solid period piece that explores the private life of celebrated British author Charles Dickens, played with much enjoyment by Ralph Fiennes, who also directs. But, as the title suggests, the real pleasure of this drama can be found in the invisible woman standing behind Dickens. Nelly Ternan (the great Felicity Jones) was an actress working in London at the time of Dickens’ fame. Nelly’s mother (played by Kristin Scott Thomas) introduces her daughter to the scribe, affording him the pleasantries and respect he has earned in literary circles. But Dickens looks toward Nelly for more than curtsies and nervous hellos; he is smitten, and he wants her as lover and muse.

The problem, of course, is Mrs. Catherine Dickens (Joanna Scanlan). Nelly is younger and more attractive in the writer’s eyes, and so he relegates his wife to domestic pursuits and childrearing. This obviously causes trouble between the women in his life, even when Dickens continues his public and private personae with seemingly little thought to the consequences of this triangulated love affair.

The women of the film are marvelous in their respective roles. Jones imbues Nelly with innocence and hurt, coming off as equally smitten and an unfortunate victim to Charles’ advances. The accomplished actress offers her most profound role to date, one that should have been in serious contention for an Oscar nomination.

Scanlan could have easily played her character as a throwaway role, but Catherine is no simple scorned wife. She loves Charles and tolerates his actions, but underneath there is pain and self-reflection. Her powerful meeting with Nelly to talk about the business at hand is a carefully acted scene. Kudos to screenwriter Abi Morgan for writing such rich roles for women.

Fiennes is, well, fine as Charles Dickens, although the scribe comes off as a supporting character in his own tale. After the nearly two hours in his company, the audience knows much more about Nelly than Charles. This is obviously intentional, but also keeps the central character at a distance. His motives and motivations are unclear, and so the only characteristic we have left is his celebrity status. This seems appropriate because Nelly, even during their relationship, views him as a celebrity as well.

The directorial flourishes, production design and pacing are beautifully rendered. The costumes on the men and women are intricate affairs, and it’s wholly believable that these are the men and women of Dickens’ time.

The final pleasure of The Invisible Woman comes from Scott Thomas and her daughters. Their forays as actresses on the stage are given a lot of time in the narrative, and this allows the audience to understand and appreciate the vital role of theater in the greater artistic scene of the times.

A sumptuously acted movie with a wonderful period sensibility, The Invisible Woman is a gem from 2013 that flew under the radar of one too many audience members. This one deserved to break out of the indie scene.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• The Invisible Woman

• 2013

• Directed by Ralph Fiennes

• Written by Abi Morgan

• Starring Fiennes, Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas and Joanna Scanlan

• Running time: 111 minutes

• Rated R for some sexual content

• Rating: