The Golden Bowl

The Golden Bowl

From the novel by Henry James

Directed by James Ivory

Produced by Merchant Ivory Productions, TF1 International

2000130 min6.0 / 10

A psychologically intricate adaptation of Henry James exploring betrayal, manipulation, and the preservation of marriage through refined restraint and unspoken power plays.

Wealthy American widower Adam Verver and his daughter Maggie live a refined life in Europe, surrounded by art. Maggie marries impoverished Italian Prince Amerigo, while Adam marries Maggie's friend Charlotte Stant. The Prince and Charlotte are having an affair, which Maggie discovers and navigates through a silent, psychological battle of wills, ultimately using her cunning to preserve her marriage and protect her father.

Questions people ask

  • Is The Golden Bowl violent? Barely. Less violent than 86% of films.

  • Is The Golden Bowl sad? Yes. More sad than 75% of films.

  • Is The Golden Bowl scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of films.

  • Does The Golden Bowl end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is The Golden Bowl easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

33/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity93

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise8

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love22

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Golden Bowl

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Golden Bowl

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Golden Bowl, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Golden Bowl, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Golden Bowl, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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