This good-looking, but slow-moving drama, set in the early years of the 20th century and based on Barry Unsworth's novel, was James Dearden's first screenplay following Fatal Attraction. Here he directs as well, though he keeps the drama too much at a distance for the audience to get very involved. Ben Kingsley gives an eye-catching, if mannered central performance as a small-time spy operating from an Aegean island, Charles Dance repeats his White Mischief portrayal of the bronzed, womanising adventurer and Helen Mirren brings some much-needed warmth to the story as the object of both their desires. Lushly shot by Roger Deakins on the islands of Rhodes and Simi.


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