The Invisible Woman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A famous author, tired of his wife, has a midlife crisis by dating an actress, leading to drama, secrets, and questionable life choices.

🍿 The Invisible Woman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Nelly and Charles

In the 1850s, Nelly Ternan, a young aspiring actress, finds herself drawn into the orbit of the famous author Charles Dickens. Dickens, feeling stifled by his marriage, is captivated by Nelly’s intelligence and charm. This sets the stage for a complex and secretive relationship that will define much of Nelly’s life.

The Secret Affair Begins

Despite the societal constraints and Dickens’s existing marriage, a passionate affair begins between Charles and Nelly. Their relationship is carefully concealed, forcing Nelly to live in the shadows, becoming the ‘invisible woman’ of the title. This secrecy deeply affects Nelly, leading to internal conflict and a questioning of her role in Dickens’s life.

Life in the Shadows

The film explores the challenges Nelly faces as Dickens’s mistress. While she enjoys a privileged lifestyle afforded by his wealth, she is also isolated and unable to openly acknowledge her relationship. This emotional turmoil weighs heavily on her, as she grapples with the moral implications and societal expectations of the time.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charles Dickens (Ralph Fiennes): A celebrated and charismatic author who engages in a secret affair with a much younger woman.
• Nelly Ternan (Felicity Jones): A young actress who becomes Charles Dickens’s mistress, navigating societal constraints and personal desires.
• Mrs. Frances Ternan (Kristin Scott Thomas): Nelly’s mother who supports and facilitates her daughter’s relationship with Charles Dickens.
• Catherine Dickens (Joanna Scanlan): Charles Dickens’s wife, who is intellectually unstimulating to him, leading to his infidelity.
• Wilkie Collins (Tom Hollander): A friend of Dickens and fellow novelist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Charles Dickens: “A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is a profound secret and mystery to every other.” – Dickens reflects on the unknowable depths of individuals, highlighting the themes of secrecy and hidden lives.
• Nelly: “Until that secret is given to another to look after. And then perhaps two human creatures may know each other.” – Nelly offers a counterpoint, suggesting intimacy and understanding are possible through shared secrets.
• Charles Dickens: “Ellen Lawless Ternan… that is my secret.” – Dickens whispers his secret to Nelly, revealing the depth of his affection and the clandestine nature of their relationship.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,234,254
• Worldwide Gross: $3,986,888

💥 The Invisible Woman Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed the movie’s look at Victorian England and the complexities of the relationship between Dickens and Nelly. Ralph Fiennes was amazing as Dickens! I felt the film captured the restrictions and expectations placed on women. Seeing Nelly’s internal struggles really resonated with me, especially during the scenes of her pacing on the beach.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of period dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in literary history”
  • “Those who enjoy character-driven stories”
  • “People who appreciate subtle and nuanced performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief depiction of a train crash”

Professional Reviews

• MovieMatrix.co.uk: “Fiennes shines as Dickens, but the film, centered on Nelly, is a beautifully crafted piece, slightly pale compared to Fiennes’ more vigorous work, focusing on the secret affair and Nelly’s emotional turmoil after Dickens’ death.
• IMDb: “Fiennes impresses both as an actor and director in this beautifully made film exploring Dickens’ affair with Nelly. However, the slow pace and abrupt switches between timelines made the story a bit hard to follow, resulting in a movie that could have used greater depth.
• IMDb: “A beautifully made film, rich with atmosphere and great acting, but overly long and somewhat bland due to the lack of a strong musical score. The story takes too long to unfold, making it feel like a serialized novel. Despite the merits, it falls short of Fiennes’ previous directorial work.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the brilliant performances of Ralph Fiennes and Felicity Jones.: The movie excels in its costume design and recreation of the Victorian era.

Some viewers appreciated the thought-provoking nature and exploration of Victorian society.: Audiences found the movie a unique blend of love, romance, and tragedy, marking its distinction from mainstream Hollywood productions.

Overall Consensus: A beautifully crafted film with strong performances, particularly from Fiennes and Jones, but criticized for slow pacing and a somewhat bland overall feel.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Costume Design)- 2014

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ralph Fiennes not only starred as Charles Dickens but also directed the film, marking his second directorial effort after ‘Coriolanus’.”
• “The film is based on Claire Tomalin’s biography ‘The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens’, which pieces together the largely undocumented relationship between Dickens and Ternan.”
• “Costume design was a major focus, aiming for historical accuracy in depicting Victorian England, earning the film an Academy Award nomination in that category.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Invisible Woman?

As of today, ‘The Invisible Woman’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Invisible Woman, you might like these similar films:

• Bright Star (2009): Explores a passionate but ultimately tragic romance between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, similar to the hidden love in ‘The Invisible Woman’.
• The Duchess (2008): Focuses on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, and her complicated relationships within the constraints of 18th-century British society, sharing themes of societal expectations and personal sacrifice.
• A Royal Affair (2012): Depicts a scandalous affair in 18th-century Denmark between Queen Caroline Matilda and the royal physician Johann Friedrich Struensee, highlighting the risks and consequences of forbidden love within a rigid social hierarchy.

🛒 The Invisible Woman Related Products

• The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens: Claire Tomalin’s biography provides an in-depth look at the real story behind the film, offering greater context and detail about the lives of Dickens and Ternan. Perfect for fans who want to know more.
• Charles Dickens: A Life: Ackroyd’s comprehensive biography gives a complete picture of Dickens’ life and works. A must have for true Dickens fans and scholars
• Dickens: The Complete Novels [DVD]: Enjoy Dickens’ iconic novels brought to life. This DVD box set includes adaptations of classics like ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘Great Expectations’, and ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’
• Victorian Era Costume Accessories Set: Dress up in Victorian style with this accessory set, including gloves, a bonnet, and a brooch, bringing the fashion of ‘The Invisible Woman’ to life.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Invisible Woman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sir Roger de Coverly” – performed by Traditional

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Invisible Woman (Preview) by Nicole Johnson

Ever feel like you’re just not seen? This sketch, ‘The Invisible Woman,’ really nails that feeling of being overlooked. It’s pretty powerful and makes you think!

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