In The Invisible Woman, directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes as Charles Dickens, we are taken back to the 1850s in England. Dickens is shown as a larger than life figure, the most famous writer of his time, commanding great popularity. However, he's dissatisfied with his marriage and feels that he's stifled creatively. In one chance encounter, he meets Nelly Ternan (Felicity Jones), a spirited young woman of 18 who's an actress and performer. They hit it off, and soon, Nelly becomes Dickens' muse and most important confidante.
Their relationship becomes the focus of the film, as we bear witness to the clandestine affair that develops between them. Dickens grows increasingly infatuated with Nelly, and she becomes the center of his world. However, as their secret dalliances continue, Nelly is forced to hide away from public view. The film portrays the difficulties of maintaining a relationship in Victorian England, where societal norms and conventions meant that any hint of impropriety could lead to social ostracism and ruin.
The Invisible Woman also delves into Nelly's own story, revealing her own struggles to find her identity and place in the world. Coming from a family of actors, she's acutely aware of the precariousness of her situation and the need to cling to Dickens, both for emotional stability and financial support. As their relationship progresses, Nelly begins to feel increasingly conflicted about her position, stuck between her own ambition and the demands of a man who's at once her lover and her patron.
Overall, The Invisible Woman is a sensitive and nuanced exploration of the complexities of a forbidden affair, as well as a glimpse into the world of one of England's greatest writers. Ralph Fiennes is excellent as Dickens, and Felicity Jones plays Nelly with a great deal of poise and elegance. The film is beautifully shot, capturing the bleakness of the period but also the vibrancy of Dickens' life and work. It's a moving and thought-provoking portrait of an era, an author, and a woman who history has largely overlooked.
