Ruskin's sexless marriage founders in new film Effie Gray
THIS tale of an marriage, non-consummation and extra-marital passion between the prudish Victorian critic and his young bride, played by Dakota Fanning, is dreary and slow
Director: Richard Laxton
Stars: Dakota Fanning, Emma Thompson, Greg Wise, Tom Sturridge
Cert 12A, 108mins
Effie Gray tells the story of the unfortunate marriage between influential Victorian art critic John Ruskin (Greg Wise) and his young bride Effie Gray (Dakota Fanning).
Effie Gray Official UK Trailer
She eventually took up with painter John Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge), her marriage to Ruskin famously unconsummated. It should fizz with desire, passion and brilliant, intriguing characters but is unfortunately rather dreary and slow.
Ruskin is a one-note stuffed shirt, Effie a sorry victim of spousal abuse who moons about in misery.
It looks wonderful, however, and the strong supporting cast includes Emma Thompson and Julie Walters.