This is a real story of real people. In the centre of it all is the two authors / writers Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton) and Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki). They met at a party in December 1922. Vita has for a long time wanted to meet Virginia. She's very impressed by the writing of Virginia, who up until now hasn't really been that popular. Vita was more popular, a real socialite, and with a reputation of being a lesbian. She is married to Harold Nicolson (Rupert Penry-Jones) who, as a matter of fact, is a gay man.
Virginia is living with her crew, consisting of her husband Clyde (Gethin Anthony) her sister Vanessa called Nessa (Emerald Fennell), and to top it off Nessa's sometimes lover, the gay Duncan (Adam Gillen).
Vita's mother (Isabella Rossellini) warns her of getting to close to Virginia, calling her and her crew socialists and bohemian. Vita certainly got a mine of her own, and after some fighting, she starts having an affair with Virginia, bringing her a new discovery of enjoying sex in a different way.
It's quite obvious that this relationship won't be without problems, but it's a gift to see how this, for the times, strange friendship will end.
This movie, directed by Chanya Button, probably contains the best chemistry between two actors. Gemma Arterton co-produced the film and really starting the whole thing. It's so well acted by all, but the two leads really deserves all accolades coming their way. The only thing that could have made this experience better for me, would be that I have known more about the works of the two women. Woolf's book Orlando is written about their relationship. They ended up as friends through 15 years until Virginia's suicide in 1941.
Virginia is living with her crew, consisting of her husband Clyde (Gethin Anthony) her sister Vanessa called Nessa (Emerald Fennell), and to top it off Nessa's sometimes lover, the gay Duncan (Adam Gillen).
Vita's mother (Isabella Rossellini) warns her of getting to close to Virginia, calling her and her crew socialists and bohemian. Vita certainly got a mine of her own, and after some fighting, she starts having an affair with Virginia, bringing her a new discovery of enjoying sex in a different way.
It's quite obvious that this relationship won't be without problems, but it's a gift to see how this, for the times, strange friendship will end.
This movie, directed by Chanya Button, probably contains the best chemistry between two actors. Gemma Arterton co-produced the film and really starting the whole thing. It's so well acted by all, but the two leads really deserves all accolades coming their way. The only thing that could have made this experience better for me, would be that I have known more about the works of the two women. Woolf's book Orlando is written about their relationship. They ended up as friends through 15 years until Virginia's suicide in 1941.