Cousin Bette

A lousy, virtually unrecognizable adaptation of Balzac's classic novel, chronicling the destruction of an aristocratic French family at the hands of a vindictive spinster. Jessica Lange stars as Lisabeth -- Cousin Bette, as she's affectionately referred to by Baron Hulot (Hugh Laurie) and his haughty family, which is about all the affection they have to offer the 40-year-old poor relation. The Hulots treat the unattractive and tragically unmarried cousin of the late Baroness Hulot (Geraldine Chaplin) more like a servant than a relative, and she's often the butt of their cruel jokes. But Bette harbors a secret, though unrequited, love: a starving young sculptor name...