Opened: October 10, 2014

Directed by: Richard Laxton

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Greg Wise, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, David Suchet, Derek Jacobi, Robbie Coltrane, Claudia Cardinale, James Fox, Tom Sturridge, Russell Tovey, Riccardo Scamarcio, Polly Dartford, Linda Bassett & Pip Torrens

There are moments of Effie Gray where it’s an interesting character study, but the dullness of the script takes away from those moments.

Effie Gray (Dakota Fanning) is married off to art critic John Ruskin (Greg Wise) and moves in with him and his parents (Julie Walters & David Suchet). After five years of marriage, Effie reveals to Lady Eastlake (Emma Thompson) that John has yet to consummate it.

Having Thompson as the screenwriter makes the film’s lackluster story feel odd due to her previous success. Watching Effie suffer in her marriage to the point where she’s almost a prisoner is jail is compelling, but there’s not enough substance to draw out her story. Too many scenes feel like dead air.

Walters and Thompson have great moments, but Fanning’s Effie is a bit too reserved.

Final say: Shades of gray. ★★☆☆☆