The Wife (2017) is a compelling drama directed by Björn Runge that explores themes of idenтιтy, sacrifice, and the complexities of marriage. Anchored by powerful performances, particularly from Glenn Close, the film delves into the life of Joan Castleman, the long-suffering spouse of a celebrated author, Joe Castleman.

The story unfolds as Joe, played by Jonathan Pryce, prepares to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. As they travel to Stockholm for the ceremony, the film reveals the intricacies of their relationship through flashbacks and present-day interactions. Joan, who has devoted her life to supporting Joe’s writing career, begins to confront the sacrifices she has made for his success and the impact it has had on her own idenтιтy.

Glenn Close delivers a remarkable performance, capturing Joan’s internal struggles with grace and subtlety. Her portrayal of a woman who has long been in the shadows of her husband’s fame is both poignant and relatable. Through her expressions and nuanced dialogue, Close conveys the depth of Joan’s emotions, from pride to resentment, making her character one of the film’s most compelling aspects.

The narrative explores the dynamics of power within their marriage, highlighting the gender inequalities that have persisted in the literary world. Joan’s sacrifices become increasingly apparent as the story progresses. She has not only supported Joe emotionally but has also played an integral role in his writing, often going unrecognized. This raises questions about authorship, recognition, and the often-invisible labor that women contribute to their partners’ successes.

Runge’s direction is thoughtful, allowing the film to unfold at a measured pace that invites reflection on the characters’ choices and motivations. The cinematography captures the contrasts between the glamorous public life of Joe and the more intimate, often strained moments between him and Joan. The film’s visual style enhances its themes, illustrating the dicH๏τomy between public accolades and private struggles.

The screenplay, adapted from Meg Wolitzer’s novel, is sharp and insightful, weaving together personal and societal themes. It deftly balances moments of tension with quiet introspection, allowing viewers to engage deeply with Joan’s journey. The dialogue is rich with subtext, revealing the complexities of their marriage and the emotional toll it takes on both characters.

As the story unfolds, Joan grapples with her own ambitions and desires, leading to a climactic revelation that challenges the status quo of their marriage. The film’s exploration of idenтιтy and self-worth resonates strongly, particularly in the context of the sacrifices women often make for their partners.

The Wife received critical acclaim for its performances and storytelling, earning Glenn Close an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film’s exploration of female empowerment and the quest for recognition in a patriarchal society struck a chord with audiences and critics alike.

In conclusion, The Wife is a thought-provoking examination of marriage, sacrifice, and the complexities of idenтιтy. With its strong performances, particularly from Glenn Close, and its nuanced exploration of gender dynamics, the film invites viewers to reflect on the often-unseen contributions of women in relationships and their struggles for recognition. It stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-idenтιтy and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s voice.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.