The Serpent’s Kiss *** (1997, Ewan McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite, Greta Scacchi, Richard E Grant) – Classic Movie Review 3038

Director Philippe Rousselot’s subtle and intriguing 1997 film stars Ewan McGregor as young Dutch landscape architect Meneer Chrome, who arrives at the remote British stately home of Thomas Smithers (Pete Postlethwaite) and his wife Juliana (Greta Scacchi).

Smithers wants to leave behind him as his legacy a marvellous garden to be created on a wild patch of land on his estate. Chrome receives his written instructions via a secretary (Charley Boorman). They come from Juliana’s cousin, James Fitzmaurice (Richard E Grant), who enjoyed a romance with Juliana in their youth and now plans to make Thomas bankrupt through the costs of creating the garden and thus to make Juliana return to him.

Written by Tim Rose Price, The Serpent’s Kiss is an atmospheric, effectively acted but leisurely drama, with a smart look in Jean-François Robin’s cinematography.

Also in the cast are Carmen Chaplin, Donal McCann, Gerard McSorley, Britta Smith, Susan Fitzgerald, Pat Laffan, Rúaidhrí Conroy and Henry King.

McGregor met his best friend Boorman while making the film. McGregor had worked with Postlethwaite in 1996 on Brassed Off.

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© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 3038

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