Cousin Bette (1998 film)

Cousin Bette is a 1998 period drama film directed by Des McAnuff, based on the 1846 novel La Cousine Bette by Honoré de Balzac. The film stars Jessica Lange in the title role of Bette Fischer, a poor and unmarried relative of a wealthy Parisian family.

The plot centers on Bette's bitter resentment and vengeful schemes against her successful relatives, particularly her beautiful cousin Adeline Hulot (Geraldine Chaplin) and Adeline's husband, Baron Hector Hulot (Bob Hoskins). Bette conspires with a young artist, Wenceslas Steinbock (Aden Young), whom she initially takes under her wing and falls in love with. However, Wenceslas becomes infatuated with Hortense Hulot (Elisabeth Shue), Adeline's daughter, further fueling Bette's rage and desire for retribution.

The film explores themes of envy, social class, artistic ambition, and the corrupting influence of desire and societal pressures in 19th-century Paris. While the film is based on the novel, it takes some liberties with the plot and characters. The film's reception was mixed, with critics praising Lange's performance but offering criticism regarding the film's overall execution and adaptation of the source material.