Emma Corrin as Lady Constance in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, 2022 (Image: Parisa Taghizadeh/Netflix)
A “hot” and “steamy” period drama has earned widespread acclaim from cinema lovers for its “beautiful cinematography”, the palpable chemistry between its leading stars, and the “next level” performances delivered throughout.
Netflix subscribers seeking their next period piece are spoilt for choice, with firm favourites including the likes of TV shows Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, The Crown and numerous others.
For cinema lovers, the 2019 Timothée Chalamet royal-court historical drama The King receives consistent praise, alongside Sofia Coppola’s 2006 cult classic Marie Antoinette, and Greta Gerwig’s star-studded 2019 interpretation of Louisa May Alcott’s cherished Little Women, among countless others.
However, if you’re yearning for intense romance and “steamy” scenes, one Netflix title may satisfy that desire: the 2022 film adaptation of DH Lawrence’s controversial literary sensation, Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
The novel was initially privately published in 1928 and immediately sparked controversy for its frank depiction of female desire, sexual intimacy and profane language. For decades, it faced prohibition in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and India.
The book has inspired many film and television adaptations.
The 2022 film features Emma Corrin as the titular Lady Constance Chatterley and Jack O’Connell as Oliver, the working-class gamekeeper with whom Lady Chatterley begins a fervent affair.
It was directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, with the screenplay penned by David Magee. The majority of scenes were captured at the mansion and across the grounds of the Brynkinalt estate in Chirk, North Wales during early 2022.
Lake Vyrnwy and Corris in mid Wales were additionally utilised for certain scenes.
The story centres on Lady Chatterley who embarks upon an affair following her husband’s return from the war paralysed; embittered and furious about his altered circumstances.
Emma Corrin and Jack O’Connell in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, 2022 (Image: Courtesy of Netflix)
The Chatterley marriage deteriorates into a loveless and tense arrangement, with Lady Chatterley grappling with her husband’s domineering behaviour, volatile temperament, and the absence of any physical or emotional connection.
The film has secured an impressive 87% rating on popular review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.
One viewer said: “Excellent adaptation of the novel! Great performances, and beautiful cinematography”.
Another agreed: “Loved the romance and heartbreak!”
A third wrote: “Absolutely unreal film!! Acting is absolutely next level!!”
Emma Corrin as Lady Constance, Jack O’Connell as Oliver, Matthew Duckett as Clifford in Netflix’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover (Image: Seamus Ryan/Netflix)
While a fourth noted: “This is an incredibly beautiful version of the film. There is such chemistry between the two actors. I loved the raw passion between them. A very hot and steamy film”.
Someone else was enthusiastic in praising the lead performers: “Corrin and O’Connell have great chemistry, bringing to life an otherwise traditional tale of forbidden love.”
Another viewer said: “The best version of Lady Chatterley’s Lover that I’ve seen. It not only captures the steamy passion of the illicit affair really well (credit to both leading actors for some very convincing sex scenes) but expertly puts it into the class-ridden social context of the period.”
One admitted they thought it “was going to be like Downton Abbey” and got “quite a shock” at the steamy scenes, adding: “Can’t believe I watched this with my nan. She loved it though.”
Meanwhile, one critic said: “A terrific showcase for the increasingly impressive Corrin, this Bridgerton-meets-Downton should rightly prove to be a hit for Netflix.”