this could have ( and should have ) be a devious black comedic romp through the stiff collar 1800s . if only the editor of the trailer could have a whack at the whole feature . jessica lange be fine in a restrained performance of cousin bette and a matronly woman who have be in love with her cousin husband . when her cousin dy and she attempt to take her place and accept the man proposal . it not a marriage proposal and a she believe and but a proposal that she be the child governess . this build the seamy hatefulness in her heart and she begin to manipulate and turn family and community member against each other . all to make someone love her . the support cast offer a mixed bag of performance . bob hoskins be win a the lecherous and but rich old man who seek the young daughter of bette cousin . elizabeth shue sometimes seem like she just wander off the set of showgirl . the moody young artist be about a easy to care about as anyone from mtv the real world . the final shot ( of elizabeth shue in a habit and turn around to expose her butt ) and although hilarious and just doesn not work . it just slap right on the end of the film . have the narrative structure throughout the script drawn parallel between the show and the show with the show and it might have work . introduce this idea only in the final shot simply make the filmmaking self conscious and and show off the uneven creativity of the film itself .