As for "sexual liberation", that is generally an anachronistic concept in period dramas set at any time prior to the mid-twentieth century. In the 19th century swearing was regarded as socially unacceptable, at least in polite circles even "bloody", today a relatively mild oath, was considered shocking. There is, of course, a reason why the makers of period dramas tend to avoid such matters.
(Rachel Weisz described her character as "sexually liberated"). The film is unusually sexually explicit for one made in the traditional British "heritage cinema" style there are several instances of bad language and a love scene between Philip and Rachel. On the other hand, Ambrose may have fallen prey to delusions produced by the same illness which was eventually to kill him and Rachel may therefore be the innocent victim of unjustified suspicion. On the one hand, Rachel may indeed be a sinister poisoner. He discovers letters from Ambrose, suggesting that his wife may have been trying to poison him for his money. He is, however, never sure whether he can trust her. When Philip and Rachel meet for the first time, he is smitten with love for the beautiful older woman. We learn that Ambrose attempted to leave his fortune to Rachel but never signed the will, leaving Philip as his sole heir. On a trip to Italy Ambrose meets and marries Rachel, a half-Italian cousin to both himself and Philip, but later dies in mysterious circumstances. Philip is an orphan, and has been raised by older cousin Ambrose, who has been like an adoptive father to him. The central character is Philip Ashley, a young man from a Cornish landowning family. The action takes place in early Victorian Cornwall, with a few scenes set in Italy. The first was made in 1952, only a year after the novel was first published.
"My Cousin Rachel" is the second film to have been based upon the novel by Daphne du Maurier.
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