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Clip description
Oscar (Ralph Fiennes) meets Lucinda (Cate Blanchett) on the boat from England to New South Wales. They form an instant bond over their shared passion for gambling.
Curator’s notes
One of the great highlights of Oscar and Lucinda is the meeting of its central characters. Opening as a very correct meeting between a clergyman and a woman who wishes to confess her sins, the scene takes an exciting turn when Oscar and Lucinda slowly realise they are two of a kind.
The dynamic changes dramatically, with Oscar able to confess his ‘sin’ to Lucinda and rationalise his gambling within the context of his religious beliefs. The acting is masterful, particularly Cate Blanchett’s subtle change of facial expression as exhilaration takes hold of Lucinda. As if by a roll of the dice, Oscar and Lucinda have been thrown together and their lives will be profoundly and forever changed from this moment.
