The Painted Veil

Perhaps I've read quite a few favorable comments on this movie The Painted Veil-- it is a little disappointing when I actually see it. First of all, Edward Norton is not as outstanding as I expected in terms of performing, though he is usually very good. The first half of the story, which tells why the husband volunteered to work at a remote village in China ravaged by a deadly epidemic, and takes her along, is narrated in a way not good enough for the development of the story and leaves the audience wondering why they bothered to make the trip. Their journey does give them the time and space to re-view their marriage, bring meaning to their relationship and give them purpose in life, but I feel the flow of the story and the ending is a bit abrupt, stereotyped and pretentious.