The strength of this BBC film lies in the brilliantly created Dutch interiors. This captures the feel of the Dutch Masters' paintings, and provides a suitably claustrophobic and uptight atmosphere.
The dialogue is sparse but looks speak volumes at every turn.
A clever adaptation of a Sheridan LeFanu classic.
There is plenty of great detail in the Dutch painting interiors, reminiscent of that other fine film “Girl with a pearl earring” (2003). The film takes a turn towards the dark with the arrival of the strange suitor but I like the way that the plot did not go an obvious route with the jilted young painter. There are also some clever small details that add some extra mystery later on. Good acting, good plot, scary at times, overall highly recommended.