Emma Corrin is back on the screen after transferring her talent to the stage. They play the titular character in the latest of many Lady Chatterley’s Lover adaptations, based on the D.H. Lawrence novel of the same name.
★★✰✰✰
It has been nearly 100 years since Lady Chatterley’s Lover was first published, and in the time since there have been a number of film and television adaptions. It’s been only seven years since the BBC’s attempt, starring Richard Madden and Jodie Comer. Lawrence’s story was met with huge criticism when first released and its lude nature makes that hardly surprising—especially given the time from which it comes.
Emma Corrin plays Connie Reid, who marries the wealthy Sir Clifford Chatterley. Injury strikes Clifford, who is portrayed by the relatively unknown Matthew Duckett, and as his health deteriorates, so does his marriage. The newly named Lady Chatterley drifts away from her husband and is instead drawn to their gruff gamekeeper, Oliver Mellors (Jack O’Connell of Skins fame).
As has been previously mentioned, the 2022 Lady Chatterley’s Lover is hardly ground-breaking material. Whilst different directors are bound to have different ideas, the story has been adapted to the point of overkill. This reflects badly on the latest release. There is only so much of one couple’s dangerous, extra-marital affair that can be intriguing without anything else going on whatsoever.
Emma Corrin is excellent as per usual. They made My Policeman much more watchable than it otherwise would have been and have received serious acclaim for their roles in The Crown and Orlando. There is strong on-screen chemistry with Jack O’Connell, but even that can’t save this film. The movie drags, and whilst there are poignant moments of raw emotion on display, they don’t amount to anything.
It isn’t all negative, though. There is strong acting from the main duo, as well as a mature approach to the strong sexual themes that drive the story. Director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre effectively creates the scenery of their love affair, a key aspect of the book.
One interesting casting decision sees Joely Richardson return in a very different role. Nearly 30 years ago now, she played the one and only Lady Chatterley in a TV version of the infamous novel. Richardson is back now and instead stars as Mrs. Bolton, one of the first characters to become suspicious of what Connie is up to.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover is another string in the bow of Emma Corrin. They are the best thing to come from this film, as was the case when they starred alongside Harry Styles and David Dawson in My Policeman. Corrin has seemingly mastered this sort of role, whereas O’Connell can now be viewed in a new light as he performed well in a role different from his previous projects.
The Verdict
Emma Corrin was once again able to display their brilliant acting abilities, but in something of a needless production. Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a ground-breaking and controversial story, but one that has been told over and over again. Let’s hope that there aren’t any more films about this book in the works!
Words by Jamie Rooke
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