Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 08/18/05 Home Video 01/17/06 MPAA Rating Rated R for strong sexuality, some violence and brief language Running Time 1 hour 30 minutes Genre Drama, Suspense, Romance Director David Mackenzie Cast Ian McKellen, Natasha Richardson, Hugh Bonneville, Marton Csokas, Natasha Richardson, Sean Harris, Amy Horton, Rhydian Jones, Peter Yates Studio Paramount Classics |
ASYLUM
SYNOPSIS
Set in 1950s England, ASYLUM, a tale of erotic
obsession, tells the story of Stella Raphael (Natasha
Richardson), a restless, beautiful woman who
desperately desires to find in romantic love the one
thing that will change everything.
When her husband Max (Hugh Bonneville), an
ambitious forensic psychiatrist, is appointed Deputy
Superintendent at a high-security psychiatric hospital
for the criminally insane, Stella and her young son
come with him to live on the grounds. Being in
proximity of madness has a dangerous attraction for
this woman; with its eerie, gothic beauty and endless
echoing corridors, the institution itself seems to draw
Stella in.
Then she meets inmate Edgar Stark (Marton Csokas),
an artist confined for murdering his wife in a jealous
rage. There is a visceral connection between the two.
Stella finds release and a sense of herself reborn in
Edgar's embrace. Senior physician Peter Cleave (Ian
McKellen), long in line for the position to which Max
has been promoted, watches carefully as Stella and
Edgar bond – "sexual pathology" is his particular field
of interest. The cunning Dr. Cleave is a master
observer, one who especially prides himself on
manipulation.
Set in 1950s England, ASYLUM, a tale of erotic
obsession, tells the story of Stella Raphael (Natasha
Richardson), a restless, beautiful woman who
desperately desires to find in romantic love the one
thing that will change everything.
When her husband Max (Hugh Bonneville), an
ambitious forensic psychiatrist, is appointed Deputy
Superintendent at a high-security psychiatric hospital
for the criminally insane, Stella and her young son
come with him to live on the grounds. Being in
proximity of madness has a dangerous attraction for
this woman; with its eerie, gothic beauty and endless
echoing corridors, the institution itself seems to draw
Stella in.
Then she meets inmate Edgar Stark (Marton Csokas),
an artist confined for murdering his wife in a jealous
rage. There is a visceral connection between the two.
Stella finds release and a sense of herself reborn in
Edgar's embrace. Senior physician Peter Cleave (Ian
McKellen), long in line for the position to which Max
has been promoted, watches carefully as Stella and
Edgar bond – "sexual pathology" is his particular field
of interest. The cunning Dr. Cleave is a master
observer, one who especially prides himself on
manipulation.
Stella is now the center of attention for three men, each of whom desires to possess her: the husband,
the lover and the doctor. When Edgar escapes the asylum and their secret affair is revealed, Stella
determines to continue on with her lover, no matter what the cost. What began as a fierce brave step
towards freedom now threatens to bring Stella to other, even more intense forms of confinement.
Having taken the risk, there is no turning back.
--© Paramount Classic
the lover and the doctor. When Edgar escapes the asylum and their secret affair is revealed, Stella
determines to continue on with her lover, no matter what the cost. What began as a fierce brave step
towards freedom now threatens to bring Stella to other, even more intense forms of confinement.
Having taken the risk, there is no turning back.
--© Paramount Classic
BRENDA
Asylum is a great movie that takes you into the extreme depths of obsession. Set in a 1950's British
insane asylum, Stella Raphael (Natasha Richardson), a bored wife of Max (Hugh Bonneville) the new
doctor at the psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane, has a torrid affair with an inmate, Edgar
Stark (Marton Csokas). After her husband divorces her, she begins a relationship with the senior
psychiatrist Peter Cleave (Ian Mckellen). Sadly three men's attention is not enough for Stella, and their
obsession is unable to save her from herself. Based on Patrick McGrath's novel this well written,
suspenseful, and depressing story is brought to life by great acting and cinematography. Natasha
Richardson gives an award winning performance
Asylum is a great movie that takes you into the extreme depths of obsession. Set in a 1950's British
insane asylum, Stella Raphael (Natasha Richardson), a bored wife of Max (Hugh Bonneville) the new
doctor at the psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane, has a torrid affair with an inmate, Edgar
Stark (Marton Csokas). After her husband divorces her, she begins a relationship with the senior
psychiatrist Peter Cleave (Ian Mckellen). Sadly three men's attention is not enough for Stella, and their
obsession is unable to save her from herself. Based on Patrick McGrath's novel this well written,
suspenseful, and depressing story is brought to life by great acting and cinematography. Natasha
Richardson gives an award winning performance
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
