How a forgotten 2006 period drama became a modern actor's favorite underrated film
In short: The Painted Veil, a 2006 adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s 1925 novel, struggled through studio turmoil and a botched marketing campaign. Despite its tepid box office performance, stars Naomi Watts and Edward Norton delivered nuanced performances that transformed a bleak, colonial-era story into a poignant, intimate exploration of human growth and forgiveness.
Directed by John Curran, the 2006 film is the third adaptation of Maugham’s novel, following versions from 1934 and 1957. The story follows Walter Fane, an earnest bacteriologist, and his socialite wife, Kitty, as they navigate a failing marriage while stationed in China during a cholera epidemic. Screenwriter Ron Nyswaner and Norton, who also produced, sought to move beyond the novel’s bleakness by expanding Walter’s character and allowing the couple to find genuine connection amidst the tragedy of the epidemic.
The production faced significant hurdles, including a $19 million budget and intense negotiations with Chinese partners over the script’s depiction of local unrest. The film’s release was further hampered by the firing of producer Mark Gill, which left the project without a clear champion at Warner Independent Pictures. Marketing was so sparse that critics like Rex Reed publicly questioned why the studio was keeping the film a secret, noting its clear potential for awards recognition.
Despite the commercial struggles, the film earned critical praise for its visual beauty and the chemistry between its leads. Critics were divided, with some finding the period piece cold or stuffy, while others lauded its emotional accessibility and modern spark. Ultimately, the film grossed roughly $26.9 million worldwide. In 2024, Naomi Watts reflected on the project, identifying it as her most underrated work, lamenting that it simply went by unnoticed by audiences at the time of its release.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Painted Veil (2006 film)
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