The Beast in the Jungle

A deeply sensuous cinematic experience, with exquisite choreography. Dutch director Clara van Gool has elegantly adapted Henry James’ novella from 1903, and placed it in three different periods of time. The enigmatic love between John Marcher and May Bertram shifts seamlessly between the decades, from late 1800s England, via the post-war era and into our own time. Beautiful tableaus are constructed, while the two leads dance and converse in a poetic manner. Visually, the film might remind one of the later works of Terence Malick.

John and May are always somewhat set apart from their surroundings, secretive and mysterious. Even though they talk to one another as well as participate in social events and gatherings, a constant sheen of loneliness and isolation rests over both of them. Their apparently eternal life furthermore makes it easy to draw parallels to other literary icons such as Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray.