Haley Bennett plays Katherine Hilbery, a self-taught astronomer who longs to be taken seriously in a patriarchal society.
One of Virginia Woolf’s lesser-known novels, 1919’s Night and Day, is finally getting the movie adaptation treatment, more than 100 years after publication.
In Tina Gharavi’s film, set in Edwardian society, Katharine Hilbery (Haley Bennett) longs to become a recognised and respected astronomer as well as a member of the Royal Astronomical Society and a student at Cambridge University.
While she is focused on her career ambitions, her parents (Timothy Spall and Jennifer Saunders) have their attentions elsewhere – her marriage prospects.
To get them off her case, Katharine accepts a proposal from her childhood friend, poet William Rodney (Jack Whitehall), knowing he’ll let her continue her studies.
However, she soon develops real feelings for Ralph Denham (Elyas M’Barek), the editor of her mother’s sprawling book.
Given that the film is called Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day, you might assume that it is a loyal adaptation of the novel, but it’s actually quite a departure from the source material.
While the themes of love and marriage were at the forefront of the book, screenwriter Justine Waddell dials them back and brings Katharine’s astronomy ambitions to prominence.
In addition, she has changed Katharine’s cousin and closest male ally, Cyril (Misia Butler), to a closeted gay man struggling with his own place in society.
Bennett elevates the material with her spirited and vibrant performance and perfect English accent.
She makes Katharine somebody to root for (especially with female viewers) because she is so charming and rebellious.
In an unusual piece of casting, Bennett is supported by Lily Allen as Mary Datchet, a member of the suffragette movement who gives Katharine a place to study.
Allen’s Mary is cool, edgy and way ahead of her time, and it’s a shame we don’t see more of her.
Also, it’s hard to take comedian Whitehall seriously at first, given that he seems an ill fit for a period piece, but he actually works well as the posh dimwit William.
Night and Day is a conventional and tonally uneven film, with a romance subplot that doesn’t quite work.
However, it is also inspirational and amusing, with a worthy story about Katharine’s fight to break free from the rules of society.
In cinemas from Friday 19th June
By Hannah Wales
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