Edward Norton produced The Painted Veil as well as starring in this 20s-set love story based on Somerset Maugham's novel. He plays a resentful doctor who subjects his cheating spouse (Naomi Watts) to life in a disease-ridden village in China. Although it sounds like a dour melodrama, this is actually an "uplifting" story that softened critics' hearts and appealed to discerning moviegoers.

Lifting The Veil

"It's a story about forgiveness," explains Norton in a Making Of featurette, shot on location in the stunning Guangxi Province of China. He goes on to assure us, "There are levels, then more levels and then more levels." He doesn't delve too deeply into what all those levels convey, but it's clear that this was a passion project from the start. It was also important to the filmmakers, not least director John Curran, that the story was shot on location and with the full co-operation of the Chinese government. "We're actually working with the Chinese Film Bureau," says the helmer.

Lost In Translation

The featurette includes a brief discussion of set design and how Curran sought to make China a character ("not just a backdrop") in the story. Also, Watts reflects on her initially tough-to-like character Kitty Fane and supporting player Liev Schreiber does a lot of "umming" and "uhhring" trying to clarify what exactly is going on with all those levels.

It's hardly a blow-by-blow account of production - there's not a whisper from Ron Nyswaner, who had the daunting task of adapting Maughm's work. Even so, this DVD is a treat for lovers of classic romance.

EXTRA FEATURES

The Painted Veil DVD is released on Monday 3rd September August 2007.