All the corny romance stuff is about as intrinsic to the film’s soft appeal as the scrupulously well-made frocks, encompassing late Edwardian lace and flapper-style dropwaist numbers, and dozens of well-turned cloche hats.

If "The Chaperone" accomplishes anything, that will be to send viewers scrambling to Google to learn more about this extraordinary woman.

I'm not an Elizabeth McGovern completist, but it may be the best thing she's ever done.

Going into this film, I expected a typical stoic period piece, only to be emotionally riveted by the unfolding story.