The Invisible Woman: A Transparent Experience?

So, I watched “The Invisible Woman” last night and honestly, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. There’s something about a film that dances around Victorian England with all its corsets and crumpets, and then throws in the whole invisibility shtick. Ralph Fiennes directs and stars, alongside Felicity Jones who, let’s be fair, is always worth watching. But did they absolutely hit the mark? I dunno, maybe.

Honestly, when the film started, I thought it’d be one of those artsy period pieces, you know? The ones you watch when you’re feeling fancy. But then, this whole weird relationship between Charles Dickens (played by Fiennes) and his young lover, Nelly (Jones), unravelled. It felt kind of like watching one of those old Swedish melodramas, except you’re not entirely sure who to root for.

One scene that stuck with me was when Nelly, in a swirl of emotions, stands at the windswept shoreline. It reminded me of that summer back in Gotland when a storm swept through and I lost my hat to the sea. The tension, the turmoil—felt raw and utterly real. And the puzzlement when you realize you’ve lost something, yet you’re almost at peace.

I think what bugged me was the pacing. Some bits felt like walking uphill through thick molasses, all slow and sticky. Maybe it’s intentional, but there were moments I caught myself checking the time, like, “Are we still in this scene?”

The Invisble Woman’s definitely got its moments. It’s a bit like drinking Glögg—you might not love every sip, but there’s a warm aftertaste that lingers, you know? Give it a try if you’re into layered narratives and Victorian drama. Or if you’re just in the mood for something different, maybe.

Check the trailer below