Wide Sargasso Sea (1993)

Set in Jamaica, a family on the verge of losing their estate promises their niece (Karina Lombard) in a pre-arranged marriage to an Englishman, Edward Rochester (Nathaniel Parker). The marriage begins promisingly but soon suspicion, adultery, betrayal, revenge and voodoo destroys their happiness. Based on the novel by Jean Rhys and directed by John Duigan (FLIRTING). If the name of Edward Rochester rings a bell, he's the "hero" of Charlotte Bronte's novel JANE EYRE. Rhys' novel is a prequel and gives a sympathetic backstory to Rochester's mysterious "mad" wife locked away in the Bronte classic. While the movie doesn't do Rhys' novel full justice (the director and the producer were at odds over which direction the film should take), it remains a sensitive and poignant look at the impact that colonialism and racism has on a post emancipation society. It also has a feminist bent as when the monied wife loses her inheritance to her husband when they marry which robs her of her independence. An evocative score by Stewart Copeland (WALL STREET) aids the film considerably. With Naomi Watts, Michael York, Rachel Ward, Martine Beswick, Rowena King and in the film's best performance, Claudia Robinson as Lombard's old nurse.