Helen Hunt plays Mrs. Erlynne, an American woman who arrives in Amalfi and is scorned as a woman with a wicked reputation of becoming mistress to men of means. Wives are wary of her. Hunt has the task of on the surface suggesting worldly experience with men but ultimately revealing her inner decency, and she succeeds despite the basic sentimentality of the story.

Scarlett Johansson portrays Meg Windermere, a young married woman who adores her husband Robert (Mark Umbers) and has confidence in his faithfulness but, as tongues wag, is led to believe that he is having an affair with the seductive and dangerous Mrs. Erlynne. Something else is afoot; Mrs. Erlynne is harboring a secret which she is using to blackmail Meg’s husband. Meanwhile, Meg is the object of attention of handsome and conniving Lord Darlington (Stephen Campbell-Moore), who is bent on seducing her and taking her away from her husband.

Tom Wilkinson has one of the best roles as Tuppy, a very rich lord who falls for Mrs. Erlynne even though he knows of her reputation. His money is his greatest asset, and she is tempted, as well as intrigued by him. But there is a stronger tie that will put her to a test.

Director Mike Barker, working from the screenplay by Howard Himelstein that spins the Wilde-based tale, infuses the film with a lovely look—Ben Seresin is director of photography—and that makes the setting a special pleasure. The tone is a mix of decadence and elegance, suited to the story that unfolds.