The searing heat and choking humidity of '20s Shanghai provide a suitably steamy and exotic backdrop to John Curran's handsome period romance, adapted by Ron Nyswaner from W Somerset Maugham's novel.

Falling in love is a perilous business in The Painted Veil: young hearts are crushed by the conventions of the time.

There is little room for emotion: women are expected to marry for the sake of appearances and to appease their socially conscious mothers.

Such matters irk society belle Kitty Garstin (Naomi Watts): "The idea that a young woman should marry any Tom, Dick or Harry regardless of whether she loves him is simply prehistoric," she laments, all too aware that her demanding mother (Maggie Steed) expects her to do just that.

During one of London's countless high society gatherings, Kitty meets dull bacteriologist Walter Fane (Edward Norton), who makes his amorous intentions clear.

"I've never thought of you in that way," Kitty explains.

"I improve greatly upon acquaintance," counters Walter cheerily.

"I'm sure you do," replies Kitty, who eventually accepts his proposal, if only to escape her mother.

Trapped in a loveless marriage, Kitty embarks on a passionate affair with vice consul Charles Townsend (Liev Schreiber).

When Walter reveals he knows about the affair ("I am afraid you thought me a bigger fool that I really am!"), he retaliates by spiriting Kitty away to the cholera-ravaged village of Mei-tan-fu.

The ebb and flow of the relationship is underscored by elegant dialogue, revealing the tenderness beneath the rage and betrayal.