The Golden Bowl

Set in the rarified world of affluent American expatriate England and Italy between 1903 and 1909, THE GOLDEN BOWL tells the story of an extravagantly rich American widower and his sheltered daughter, both of whom marry only to discover that their respective mates are romantically entangled with one another. ADAM VERVER (Nick Nolte), America's first billionaire, and his daughter MAGGIE (Kate Beckinsale) live a privileged life in Europe, surrounding themselves with beautiful objects and amassing one of the world's greatest art collections. Their intimate family circle expands when Maggie decides to marry PRINCE AMERIGO (Jeremy Northam), an impoverished (but authentically aristocratic) descendent of a long line of Italian princes, and invites her beautiful, but impecunious school friend CHARLOTTE STANT (Uma Thurman) to attend their wedding. Amerigo and Charlotte have a secret. They are lovers, forced to separate because they are too poor to marry each other. While Charlotte knows that their affair must end, she cannot control her passion for Amerigo. She hides her emotions as best she can, feigning happiness for the couple. She and the Prince have one last rendezvous when they shop together for a wedding present for Maggie. They find an unusual golden bowl, but reject it when they discover that it has a hidden flaw. As Amerigo settles into a domestic routine with Maggie, he discovers that his marriage has a flaw, too.