Where Angels Fear to Tread Movie Review

Insanely overwrought British period drama (based on E.M. Forster's first novel) has corset-ready standbys like Rupert Graves, Helena Bonham Carter, Judy Davis, and Helen Mirren headed to turn-of-last-century Italy. The story gets off to a promising start as the wealthy Mirren decides to marry an Italian of low status (Guidelli), finding a culture clash that only gets worse with the pronouncement that she is pregnant. Unfortunately, Mirren's character dies during childbirth, launching the movie into its primary plotline -- the war over the child, fought by her family and her no-Ingles husband. Sadly, this plot is melodramatic, incredibly phony, and nearly unwatchable. Unless you've just got a thing for corsets and petticoats, give this one a pass.