Dreaming of Joseph Lees (1999)

Dreaming of Joseph Lees Poster

Set in rural England in the 1950s Eva (Samantha Morton) fantasises about her handsome, worldly cousin Joseph Lees (Rupert Graves), with whom she fell in love as a girl. However, stuck in a closed community she becomes the object of someone else's fantasy, Harry (Lee Ross). When Harry learns that Eva is planning to leave the village in order to live with and look after the injured Lees, he devises a gruesome scheme in order to force her to stay and look after him.

Film Overview
"Dreaming of Joseph Lees" is a British romantic drama set in the 1950s that was released in 1999. The film is directed by Eric Styles and features Samantha Morton, Rupert Graves, and Nicholas Woodeson in lead roles. The movie script, written by Catherine Linstrum, is originated from her personal household experiences and supplies a strong narrative foundation.

Plot and Characters
"Dreaming of Joseph Lees" tells the remarkable story of a love triangle in rural England. Eva (Samantha Morton) is a young woman caught by the socially-constrained expectations and commitments of her time. Her heart lies with her dashing, intellectual cousin, Joseph Lees (Rupert Graves), a geologist who's lost his leg in a volcanic eruption. His globe-trotting way of life, contrasted with the enclosed rural life of Eva, motivates extreme fascination.

Eva's instant world is complicated by a romantic interest from a local boorish farmer, Harry Flyte (Lee Ross). Harry's zealous pursuit of marital relationship and Eva's acquiescence, though not truly in love, encapsulates the dispute in between social expectations and individual desires. As the plot unfolds, Eva's longing for Joseph grows, making insurmountable psychological turbulence within her, fuelled by her discontentment with Harry, who is regularly violent.

Narrative Evolution and Climax
The relationship characteristics heighten when Joseph returns from his journeys, and a slow-burning romance buds in between him and Eva. The emotional and sexual chemistry between the 2 is palpable, leading to Eva conceiving with Joseph's kid. This complicated scenario-- her upcoming marriage to Harry and a kid by Joseph-- sets the stage for the significant climax when the truth is finally revealed.

The movie checks out the social characteristics of the 1950s, ingrained deeply in traditional standards and conservatism, yet carefully breaking its shackles with the development of a more contemporary and mentally demanding period. The explosive face-off, where Eva lastly withstands Harry's disastrous control, is an ode to her guts and determination to follow her heart.

Ending and Overall Themes
"Dreaming of Joseph Lees" concludes with Eva escaping Harry's violent tyranny, picking to live a sincere life beside Joseph. It presents an emotionally intense exploration of a female's pursuit of her dreams and freedom. The yearning, the palpable yearning for the one you enjoy, and the defiance against societal standards forms the core style of the movie.

Samantha Morton provides a sterling performance as Eva, capturing the audience's compassion as she battles the social pressures to ultimately pave her own path. The surrounding characters are also well-fleshed out, supplying an elaborate look at the characteristics of love, relationships, and individual liberty. The movie perfectly encapsulates the struggle in between heart and societal expectation, using a heart-wrenching point of view on flexibility and love.

In conclusion, "Dreaming of Joseph Lees" is a potent mix of romance and drama, held together by strong efficiencies and exceptional storytelling. It digs deep into the intricacies of the human heart and social norms, supplying a stirring story that resonates with viewers even beyond its end. Even more, its commentary on the freedoms and rights of females, regardless of being embeded in the 1950s, is as appropriate today as ever.

Top Cast

  • Rupert Graves (small)
    Rupert Graves
    Joseph Lees
  • Samantha Morton (small)
    Samantha Morton
    Eva
  • Nicholas Woodeson (small)
    Nicholas Woodeson
    Mr. Dian
  • Lee Ross (small)
    Lee Ross
    Harry
  • Felix Billson
    Robert
  • Vernon Dobtcheff (small)
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    Italian Doctor
  • Lauren Richardson
    Janie
  • Margaret John (small)
    Margaret John
    Aunt Margaret
  • Miriam Margolyes (small)
    Miriam Margolyes
    Signora Caldoni
  • Holly Aird (small)
    Holly Aird
    Maria
  • Frank Finlay (small)
    Frank Finlay
    Father