Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roache and Alison Elliott Directed by Iain Softley Rated R, with nudity and sexual situations Running time 102 minutes Jack gives this film a rating of 9 out of 10

(Nov. 21, 1997) -- Kate Croy is in love. But as fate would have it, it's with a man of little means.

That's never an easy thing, but it's particularly hard in the England of 1910, when money is the key to social status and a woman is typically defined by her husband's wealth.

That's the dilemma at the heart of The Wings of the Dove, Iain Softley's potent and emotionally complex adaptation of Henry James' powerful later novel. The theme is love soiled by greed.

Helena Bonham Carter has never been better than in this finely shaded portrayal of Kate, a woman who feels trapped by the whims of society and who is determined to fight. But she battles with quiet schemes and gentle guile, and in the guise of friendship.

Kate has lived with a wealthy aunt (Charlotte Rampling) since the death of her mother -- and the aunt is anxious to guide her into a good match. The aunt defines good as rich.

Kate's love is Merton Densher (Linus Roache), a lowlyl journalist. Though he would be content to live with Kate just slightly above a pauper's level, he recognizes Kate's need for social standing and an income, and bends to her wishes as she plots to achieve it.

Kate has befriended a wealthy American visitor, the attractive though pale Millie (Alison Elliott). Millie has wealth but poor health, and is doomed to an early death. She also has eyes for Merton.

Thus Kate arrives at a sly plan: Bring Merton and Millie together. If they wed and Millie dies, Merton will be left a lot of money. He'll then be able to marry Kate and satisfy her need for a substantial income.

But emotions become confused. Kate genuinely admires Millie and values her friendship. Merton, too, finds himself drawn to the wispy, charismatic young woman. During a romantic vacation in Venice, Kate pushes Merton toward Millie, and immediately regrets it. She feels the first pangs of jealousy.

Nothing in director Iain Softley's previous works Backbeat and Hackers hints at the emotional intensity, erotic undertones and intriguing ambiguity he brings to this period-film adaptation.

Softley sees and explores the ways the James novel helped usher in modern concepts of relationships, romance and social attitudes as 19th-century attitudes gave way to the 20th century.

Though the film has the rich period detail and upscale London ambience well-known to Masterpiece Theatre fans, it distances itself from the norm with its sharp edge and dark sensuality.

Much of that quality is brought to the film by Helena Bonham Carter. Though the actress appears often in period films -- and seems to the manor born -- she's never before been this vivid and engrossing. Her Kate is a complex anti-heroine whose actions are not as easy to condemn as you might assume.

Linus Roache ably projects Merton's general decency, undermined by his weakness for Kate; while Alison Elliott conveys Millie's passion for life as she struggles vainly through ever-increasing illness.

Henry James was inspired to write The Wings of the Dove as a tribute to his cousin, a young American woman who died tragically. Thus, Millie is the dominant character in the book.

But changing times make the ambitious, head-strong Kate the more intriguing character.

And the fascination is further enriched by Carter's superb performance.