 The director Ang Lee wanted Winslet to play the part with grace and restraintaspects that he felt were missing from her performance in "Heavenly Creatures"and thus asked her to practice tai chi, read gothic literature, and learn to play the piano.David Parkinson of the "Radio Times" found Winslet to be a standout among the ensemble cast, and Mick LaSalle of the "San Francisco Chronicle" took note of how well she had portrayed her character's growth and maturity.The film grossed over US$134 million worldwide.