It’s romance, intrigue, and death in the trailer for My Cousin Rachel, or in other words, all the good stuff.
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier, this film is the second go at the mystery-romance, with the 1952 version having been well received overall but disappointing to Du Maurier herself. As gender politics have radically changed, I would expect this version to let Rachel shine more, whereas the character was overshadowed in 1952 by the American screen debut of Richard Burton.
There’s little fear of that happening again with the surging Rachel Weisz stepping into the enigmatic titular role. After a string of underwhelming projects, films like The Lobster, Youth, and Denial reminded everyone why Weisz won that Oscar years ago, and My Cousin Rachel gives her the opportunity to really spread her wings.
Playing off her as the charmed but wary cousin will be Sam Claflin, who has found steady work for years without really making a strong impression. Whether he can hold his own against Weisz, and whether unsteady writer/director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Venus) can land the gothic tone, are the larger unknowns.
Even if all else goes wrong, Du Maurier gives this project a solid base, as her writing is remembered for being both intelligent and gripping. Hopefully this adaptation is both as well.
My Cousin Rachel is directed by Roger Michell and stars Sam Claflin and Rachel Weisz. It will be released in the U.S. and U.K. on June 9th, 2017. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think this adaptation will live up to the novel? Let us know in the comments!
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