Asylum (Natasha Richardson)

REVIEW
Haunting and almost eerie, David Mackenzie’s newest film — Asylum — promptly establishes itself as a tale of a woman’s quest for passion and escape from her boredom-coated marriage. Though seemingly predictable, the film unfolds perfectly and wastes no time getting to the chase and the steamy affair between its two leads.

Set in 1950s Yorkshire, husband and wife Max and Stella Raphael (Hugh Bonneville, Natasha Richardson) move with their son Charlie to the Broadmoor Asylum, where the patriarch has just been hired and is being groomed as its future Superintendent. From the start, the only staff member Stella is really able to connect with is the Senior Physician Peter Cleave, played devilishly well by Ian McKellen. Peter’s “pet” patient, Edgar Stark (Marton Csokas) and Stella quickly connect and develop a steamy and almost primal sexual affair that they are only able to hide for so long. When Edgar escapes and sends for Stella, a world of deceit and distrust consumes everyone.

This thriller in disguise quickly reveals itself to be less about unbridled passion and more about the madness — both in and outside the asylum walls — that haunts anyone and perhaps everyone. Each frame in this film is gorgeous and necessary, with no fat whatsoever. The cast, from top to bottom, is stellar at revealing no more than they are supposed to at any time. You will be second-, make that triple-guessing yourself until the credits roll.