" Effie Gray," directed by Richard Laxton, reminds me of another film set in 19th-century Great Britain, and not just because Emma Thompson wrote both rich and engrossing screenplays.

Given that the film hinges on Effie’s (thoroughly justified) breakup of her own marriage, it seems Laxton and Thompson were excessively apprehensive about making their female protagonist ...

Effie Gray Dakota Fanning, Greg Wise, Tom Sturridge. Directed by Richard Laxton. Rated PG-13. Opens Friday. Like watching paint dry on an exquisite masterpiece, Effie Gray is a tasteful ...

In the “Effie Gray” title role, Dakota Fanning catches the eye of artist Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge). (David Levinthal/Adopt Films) ...

Film Review: ‘Effie Gray’ Written by Emma Thompson, this legally troubled feminist costume drama is lovingly mounted but timidly told.

For one thing, she eventually strikes up a friendship with painter John Everett Millais, played blandly by Tom Sturridge. (The Ruskin-Gray-Millais triangle tale has been told several times onstage ...

Dakota Fanning in "Effie Gray." Adopt Films Victorian England’s most famous lousy marriage is the basis of this film directed by Richard Laxton from a script by Emma Thompson.

Effie is unclear why Ruskin is so dismissive of her mind and repulsed by her sexually. But she does catch the eye of one of Ruskin’s students, the painter John Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge).

In Victorian England, the virginal wife (Dakota Fanning) of critic John Ruskin (Greg Wise) seeks an annulment of their marriage so that she can marry his protege, Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge).

Ruskin continues on this passive-aggressive path when he invites protégé Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge) to accompany him and Effie to the Scottish moors to paint Ruskin’s portrait.

Film Review: ‘Effie Gray’ Written by Emma Thompson, this legally troubled feminist costume drama is lovingly mounted but timidly told.