The film is beautifully acted by Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons. Steep is positively luminous in the role of the enigmatic Sarah Woodruff, a Victorian woman who is wrongfully castigated by her neighbors for being a scarlet woman. Jeremy Irons is excellent as Charles, the gentleman who becomes obsessed with her and loses his reputation in order to remain free to pursue her. [from an amazon.com reader-reviewer]