In this story-within-a-story, Anna is an actress starring opposite Mike in a period piece about the forbidden love between their respective characters, Sarah and Charles. Both actors are involved in serious relationships, but the passionate nature of the script leads to an off-camera love affair as well. While attempting to maintain their composure and professionalism, Anna and Mike struggle to come to terms with their infidelity.

Meryl Streep
as Sarah / Anna

Jeremy Irons
as Charles Henry Smithson / Mike

Hilton McRae
as Sam

Lynsey Baxter
as Ernestina

Emily Morgan
as Mary

Penelope Wilton
as Sonia

Jean Faulds
as Cook

Charlotte Mitchell
as Mrs. Tranter

Peter Vaughan
as Mr. Freeman

Colin Jeavons
as Vicar
CinemaSerf
Usually if there are two separate timelines featured in a story, the director tries to ensure that we cannot readily distinguish between one that might be true and one that might be artificial. It's the complete opposite that really works well here as we mingle the story of an 18th century woman liv...