Carrington is a 1995 British biographical film written and directed by Christopher Hampton about the life of the English painter Dora Carrington (1893–1932), who was known simply as "Carrington". The screenplay is based on Lytton Strachey: A Critical Biography, the 1967-68 two-volume biography of writer and critic Lytton Strachey (1880–1932) by Michael Holroyd.
Plot
The film, starring Emma Thompson in the title role, focuses on her unusual relationship with the author Lytton Strachey, played by Jonathan Pryce, as well as with other members of the Bloomsbury Group.
The film is divided into 6 chapters.
Lytton & Carrington 1915: During the Great War, Lytton Strachey is travelling to the country and staying at Vanessa Bell's house. There he meets Carrington for the first time, initially assuming she is a boy and not hiding his disappointment when disabused. Lytton is due to face a hearing with the military to decide his fate as a conscientious objector. While taking a countryside hike, Carrington shares with Lytton a similar disappointment at not being a boy. Lytton forces an awkward kiss onto Carrington, infuriating her. Early the next morning, Carrington walks into his bedroom intending to cut his beard off in retaliation for the kiss, but stops in contemplation of him sleeping and falls in love with him. Lytton avoids war and prison on medical grounds. Gertler 1916–1918: Mark Gertler has been attempting to have sex with Carrington for four years, with a great number of their shared circle conspiring to pressure Carrington to acquiesce. Lytton is ostensibly part of these machinations but the two end up falling deeper into their own relationship. While on a trip to Wales, Lytton proposes that he and Carrington live together: acting on this, Carrington searches for a house and finds and refurbishes Mill House in Tidmarsh. She and Lytton have sex and soon after Carrington unpleasantly gives into Gertler's demand for penetration. When Gertler later finds out that Carrington and Lytton are moving in together, he assaults Lytton. Partridge 1918–1921: Carrington meets Ralph Partridge, who has come back from the war. Her relationship with Lytton has taken on a sadomasochistic cast, and she introduces Ralph in the hopes that Lytton will be attracted to him. Ralph expresses his contempt for conscientious objectors and bemusement at the successful publication of Eminent Victorians; nevertheless the rugged man has great appeal to Lytton and the three of them embark on a relationship. Lytton goes on vacation to Italy. Ralph has made clear his intent of either marrying Carrington or emigrating to Bolivia to run a sheep farm. Ralph bullies Carrington into believing that, if Ralph is no longer with him, Lytton will move out of Mill House. Carrington marries Ralph and writes Lytton a poignant letter reifying their devotion to each other, to which Lytton responds in kind. On their honeymoon, Carrington and Ralph meet with Lytton in Venice, who seems pleased with how things have shaken out. Brenan 1921–1923: Despite her marriage, Carrington continues to spend most of her time at Mill House while Ralph remains largely in London. Carrington presumes Ralph has managed to pursue affairs in the city. Ralph introduces his friend Gerald Brenan to Lytton and Carrington. Brenan is planning to leave for Spain for the sake of economy and takes a liking to Carrington, which is mutual. He demands she leave Lytton to be with him. She refuses but they continue the relationship until they get caught by Ralph. Lytton manages to persuade Ralph not to leave Carrington and secretly Carrington and Brenan continue the affair while Carrington goes through her lesbian awakening. Ham Spray House 1924–1931: Lytton and Ralph jointly buy Ham Spray House. Lytton moves in with Carrington while Ralph, Brenan and others are frequent guests. In 1924 Henrietta Bingham leaves Carrington. Subsequently, Carrington stops having sex with Brenan in 1925 and in 1926 Ralph begins an affair with Frances Marshall in London. By 1929, Lytton is in a sadomasochistic relationship with Roger Stenhouse whilst Carrington, following a series of largely unrequited lesbian affairs, is seeing Beacus Penrose, a strapping seaman with little to say who tries to change her to fit his fantasies. She becomes pregnant by Beacus but has an abortion. Lytton takes an apartment in London where he intends to live with Roger, but it becomes clear that the relationship will not last. Lytton 1931–1932: Roger and Lytton break up, Beacus loses interest in Carrington. During a tea party Lytton becomes ill; Carrington is initially optimistic but it becomes evident that his illness is terminal.