‘Lady Chatterley' causes hardly a twitter

Published: August 31, 2007

A titled lady falls in love with her husband's gamekeeper in "Lady Chatterley,” based on the second, and best, version of the "Lady Chatterley” story written by D.H. Lawrence, "John Thomas and Lady Jane.”

In this French production, Constance Reid (Marina Hands) cares for her husband, Clifford, who was badly wounded in World War I and seemingly has no physical relations with his wife.

Constance feels alone until she comes upon her husband's gamekeeper, Oliver Parkin (Jean-Louis Coulloch), whom she sees washing himself, shirtless. Constance is intrigued and begins conversing with Oliver. This will eventually lead to an affair, scandalous if discovered, even more so because of the class differences of its participants.

Lawrence's erotic tale was banned until after his death, but 80 years on, it doesn't seem particularly harmful. The idea that sex could be an important part of a relationship may have caused hubbub in the 1920s, but not so these days. This may be part of why "Lady Chatterly” seems dated. The film's languid pace (at 168 minutes) also works against it.

Director Pascale Ferran pauses on each frame, examining the nature that surrounds the lovers, contrasting it to the regimented social structures that would keep Oliver and Constance apart.

The film, which won five Cesars (the French equivalent to the Oscars), will appeal to art-house fans (who also won't mind the film's frank nudity); others may find the "Lady” a tramp. Kudos to Ferran for sticking with Lawrence's original ending, which will leave some frustrated but makes the film's point precisely.

— Matthew Price

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