I do believe that the movie is slow, it is somehow predictable, it lacks action. BUT the scenes are very flowy, fluid, calm, precise. The camera movements are smooth, delicate. The sounds are warm. The music is outstanding, the atmosphere can be described as cosy, intimate, friendly. It is not a gardening movie but the flowers add color to it, the sceneries, the woods, the gardens are fascinating. Alan Rickman is a very good actor, a very good king. Stanley Tucci did an awesome job as well. KATE WINSLET. Oh God, Kate Winslet is the best "thing" that has ever happened to the film industry. I really like the fact that Sabine is not a 20 year old girl. Even though she is the main character, she doesn't do much, Kate still managed to make her interesting, to give her depth. The flood since was a nice flashback, Kate is "into" water.. if you know what i mean. I don't know if it is historically accurate, but Sabine is fictional. It's a movie, it shouldn't be criticized. It is not the most interesting movie ever, but the cast and the used techniques are worthy of attention.

One of the last big films that Alan Rickman was involved in before his untimely death, A LITTLE CHAOS was also directed by the famous British actor, although his direction is middling at best. This is a low key romance set in the court at Versailles under Louis XIV, the Sun King, played by Rickman himself in support. The main thrust of the story is a romance between gardener Kate Winslet and a landscape artist in the king's employ. I found the whole thing hard to swallow. The romantic scenes feel cheesy and overblown and Winslet walks around with a funny expression on her face the whole time, like she's just smelt something terrible. The film's setting is sufficiently opulent and the supporting cast isn't bad, although I wish more had been made of strong actors like Jennifer Ehle and Danny Webb who are little more than window dressing.

André Le Nôtre (Matthias Schoenaerts) is a respected landscaping working for King Louis XIV of France (Alan Rickman) after his mother Queen's death. He interviews Sabine de Barra (Kate Winslet) to create an outdoor ballroom at Versailles. She lost her husband and daughter. Her vision clashes with his need for order. The interview goes badly but he accepts advise from his father. She gains notice at the Royal court and by the King. She gets closer to André raising the ire of his wife.

The Royal court intrigue is muddled. The characters and their relationships are given little time or effort. That limits any dramatic ability from that element. Matthias Schoenaerts is quiet in his acting to the point of inert. There is one shinning star that this story revolves around and that is Kate Winslet. She is powerfully reserved and emotionally expansive. She never fails to deliver. There are some unexpected turns while the main relationship has limited drama. This is all about Winslet and her ability to carry this movie.