Being one of the bloodiest psychological romantic thrillers ever on film and also loaded with showers and bath scenes, “Verity” is fully aware what kind of story it is.   An avalanche of deceit and desire. A cascade of passion and betrayal, and a love triangle, with all the right components for a lushful drama, the best selling book is finally a movie. The adaptation to film was originally slated to be released in March, but with early positive comments and remarks  about the film  was pushed to early October in hopes to snag some kind of nomination.  We are in the last lap of the year of Ann Hathaway movies. Verity is her fifth film released this year. The film comes with a strong base of fans of the novel. The movie was never going to eclipse its success, but simply accentuate, complement the novel. The film does just that as well as marinates in the atmosphere it was born in. The story is pure unadulterated soap and unbashful camp, it is wild. Many fans of the book will walk away pleased but I’m sure not fully satisfied. But the flavor is still there. “Verity” is for the soap opera lovers longing for their returns, a harkening if you will. It’s also a writer’s story. A story that dives deep into the process and the allure. Success writers always maintain an aura much like a magician, they are constantly selling a brand with their product and their name. Verity has managed to reach that level of a brand and product. 

The story is teeters close as possible to the cliches, and crazy close to being overtly ridiculous. So much so that when it doesn’t it is rather shocking.  It’s not the cleverest of stories, but smart enough to know when to cut and when to include the soap. Each character gets the right amount of time and usage. The drama is not pulsating but is always stirring. It works best when it is unsettling, “Verity” herself is a mystery only known through her works and writing now. The story will remind many classic film lovers of “All About Eve” and “What Lies Beneath”. There is a vapor of gothic horror but gets washed away with the soap. 

There are questionable editing choices that take the pacing out, namely the juxtaposition cuts in the middle of the film. The scene of Dakota Johnson in the bath is just bizarrely edited.  The film’s ending feels empty and also an afterthought when a real punch to the audience is needed. But it is entertaining. The performance of all three, Josh Hartnett, Dakota Johnson, and Ann Hathaway  is worth seeing. “Verity” is the perfect example of the right play, right usage of the cliches and tropes- and not to rely on them and that is how you keep a story that is familiar, but highly original.  “Verity” is a story of the consequences of a writer’s success that leads to a successful story with a successful film adaptation, because there is no other subject writers love to write about other than writers and love triangles. Just make sure you put deceit and desire in it. 7.5/10