This is a well executed Gothic period drama sure to satisfy fans of the genre. The bleak landscapes, wide shots and whining instruments consistently oppress upon the audience a sense of cold and melancholy. The characters reflect the climate, chilly yet compelling. The leads are well cast, but the real star is the script, which perpetually surprises from start to finish. Each new development of the plot and characters feels delightfully unpredictable and ambitious. It has the tone and charm of a Bronte novel, although the story does benefit from being told through film. Every character has motivations which are at first hidden from the audience. If you like your trees bare, your cottages wind-beaten and your heroines dour, then this is a movie you shouldn't miss.