Dakota Fanning stars as Effie Gray in this dramatic period film about a wife’s struggle to build a marriage. The story follows a young woman who, after marrying an acclaimed novelist, finds herself being kept at a distance and treated as a burden by her husband and his family despite her best efforts to be a dutiful wife. Fanning gives a good performance and does an impressive job at depicting the desperation of the character to find her place in society. But unfortunately, the plot is slow paced and meanders a lot; which, while effectively shows the character’s plight, kills much of the film’s momentum. Yet despite its problems, on the whole Effie Gray is a fairly compelling character drama.

Viewed from a Jungian and relationship dynamic perspective, the film is rather fascinating. It is a stark warning and one that is best heeded. However, it can be so caustic and biting that it strikes one as unpleasant.

Beautiful, subtle and so wonderfully gothic.