Daphne: The Secret Love Life Of Daphne Du Maurier DVD Review

For any of those who have read Dame Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, this film will explain much about her novel. As Daphne herself explains, sometimes characters take on a whole new meaning after the book is published. The film never answers whether the homosexuality in the novel was intentional, or part of Daphne’s subconscious, but it does raise the question.

The Secret Love Life of Daphne du Maurier focuses on the Dames life, just after publishing her bestseller Rebecca. Her husband has just returned from the war but the reunion cannot salvage the lackluster romance. Instead, Daphne finds emotional longing for Ellen Doubleday, wife of her American publisher. When that love goes unrequited, Daphne transfers her feelings to the actress Gertrude Lawrence. Stuck in a world of morals and standards, Daphne is unable to fully carry out her life with those she truly loves.

Geraldine Somerville (best known to Americans for her role in Gosford Park and her cameos as Lily Potter in the Harry Potter series) presents Daphne du Maurier realistically, but not interestingly. Like the real-life writer, Somerville’s character is stiff and wooden. Such a protagonist is boring and uninteresting to watch. Elizabeth McGovern plays Daphne’s first love, and Janet McTeer plays the fun-loving actress. Both ladies are a step up from Somerville with their energy.

Though the film delves in depth into Daphne’s psyche, as a film overall it isn’t as interesting as the subject matter. The story drags on and on without end. Also, the flirtation between all the women contains such stressful sexual tension, that the viewer may become uncomfortable waiting for it to snap. It isn’t so much that Daphne’s homosexuality is morally questionable, more whom she chooses as partners. Not only is she married with children, but both of her lovers are also married. Gertrude Lawrence was even a mistress of Daphne’s father.

The cinematography looks as if old equipment was used and a majority of the scenes are underlit. It is, in fact, the cutaways and transitions that are the most beautiful within the entire film.

But the film’s lagging and lack of stunning visuals is nothing compared to the bonus feature included on the disc. “Daphne du Maurier’s Vanishing Cornwall” is essentially a travelogue of her homeland, with voiceover straight out of her writings. Whether due to the weather or time of year, the beauty of the British Isles did not shine through. Rather, in the shots created for this feature, I find Cornwall to be a wonderful location to shoot a horror film.

This film, though only eighty-eight minutes, could have been done in under an hour. While titled the Secret Love Life of Daphne du Maurier, I wish more time had been spent delving into the relationship of her marriage. This may have provided us with more insight into her character. Also, in striving towards realism, the filmmakers have sacrificed almost all of the energy in their main characters.