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Cousin Bette streaming

1998 Movie United States, United Kingdom Drama, Romance, Comedy 108 min Ages 17+
By: Des McAnuff With: Elisabeth Shue, Hugh Laurie, Bob Hoskins, John Benfield, Jessica Lange

Cousin Bette is a poor and lonely seamstress, who, after the death of her prominent and wealthy sister, tries to ingratiate herself into lives of her brother-in-law, Baron Hulot, and her niece, Hortense Hulot. Failing to do so, she instead finds solace and company in a handsome young sculptor she saves from starvation. But the aspiring artist soon finds love in the arms of another woman, Hortense, leaving Bette a bitter spinster. Bette plots to take revenge on the family who turned her away and stole her only love. With the help of famed courtesan Jenny Cadine she slowly destroys the lives of those who have scorned her.

Filmium rating
62%

Mood

Bittersweet
Dark
Melancholic
Resentful

Cast & Crew

Des McAnuff
Susan Tarr
Honoré de Balzac
Lynn Siefert
Hugh Laurie
Jessica Lange
Elisabeth Shue
Kelly Macdonald
John Benfield
Toby Stephens
Bob Hoskins
Aden Young

Adaptation

Literary Adaptation
Novel-Based

Budget

Mid-Budget

Cinematic Technique

Artistic Framing
Character-Focused
Period-Specific Cinematography
Stylized
Theatrical
Visual Storytelling

Narrative Structure

Ensemble Narrative
Flashback Elements
Nonlinear

Pace

Character-Driven
Deliberate
Dynamic
Moderate
Slow-Paced
Tension-Filled

Runtime

Long Runtime

Soundtrack

Classical Score
Period-Appropriate Music

Style

Adaptation
Cinematic
Costume Drama
Dramatic
Period Drama
Period Piece

Time-Period

19Th Century
French Setting

Central Conflict

Betrayal
Revenge
Social Class Resentment

Characters

Artistic Young Man
Poor Spinster
Wealthy Family

Ending

Family Destruction
Revenge Fulfilled
Tragic Ending

Historical Context

19Th Century Society
French Bourgeoisie
Social Stratification

Key Plot Points

Family Downfall
Murder Misadventure
Romantic Betrayal

Plot

Betrayal
Family Drama
Family Tragedy
Revenge
Revenge Plot
Social Critique

Setting

19Th Century Paris
Burlesque Theater
Family Estate
Wealthy Bourgeoisie
Wealthy Households

Shooting Location

19Th Century France
Paris

Theme

Betrayal
Family Betrayal
Revenge
Social Class
Social Class Critique

Genre

Adaptation
Comedy
Comedy-Drama
Drama
Period Drama
Period Piece

Audiences

Adult
Adults
Comedy Lovers
Drama Enthusiasts
Literary Enthusiasts
Period Drama Fans

Titles

Cousin Bette
Die Cousine im heißen Feuer der Eifersucht
La Cousine Bette
贝蒂表妹

Critical Reception

Critic Consensus
Mixed Reviews
Performance Praise

Ratings

41% Rotten Tomatoes

Reception

41% Rating
Criticized Pacing
Jessica Lange Praised
Mixed Reviews
Strong Performances

Production Countries

United Kingdom
United States

Release Year

1998
mowizz ID: 790a2605-b4da-40b6-86e6-79990c575eaf
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