O Convento (aka The Convent) (1995)

Determined to prove that Shakespeare was a Spanish Jew, a professor (John Malkovich) journeys with his wife (Catherine Deneuve) to an ancient Portuguese convent to seek validation of his theory. The convent's guardian (Luis Miguel Cintra) may or may not be the Devil but he has designs on the professor's wife. Inspired (rather than based on) by the novel AS TERRAS DO RISCO by Agustina Bessa Luis and directed by Manoel De Oliveira (A TALKING PICTURE). While I certainly was absorbed by the film's mysticism and the atmosphere of surrounding evil, I still don't have a clue as to what the movie is about! Cintra's guardian represents evil (it's suggested he's the Devil) and Leonor Silveira as the convent's archivist represents purity while the couple are obviously in a troubled marriage. Malkovich tempted by the purity of Silveira while the jealous Deneuve is willing to align herself with the satanic Cintra to get rid of her rival. The film was a huge hit in Portugal and its U.S. reviews were good. I suppose the film is an allegory. Perhaps it will reveal its meaning to me on a second viewing. With Duarte De Almeida and Heloisa Miranda.