This is a film that you need to sit down and watch from begining to end without interuption. It completely messes with the idea of the narrative because the story is told in the perspective of Ralph Fiennes's character, who was just released from an asylum. As the story goes forth, the narrator confuses the audience by recognizing his mother (Miranda Richardson) with almost every other female character in the film. The plot of the film ends up being completely different from the story in the end, leaving the viewer utterly speechless, but in contemplation. I'll admit I only watched this film for Miranda Richardson, and this was probably one of the best performances I have seen her deliver. A lot of reviewers state that she plays three different characters, when in fact she plays two and a half, because the last character she takes on has already been established. This character has followed the story before Richardson steps into her shoes, but the viewer will notice that this final female is actually a mixture of the mistress and the housekeeper together. Brilliant acting from all the actors, interesting and insightful cinematography.