As his own painterly style evolved, what was important to Guardi in his views wasn't perspective, but the changing sky and the shimmering lagoon.

WSJ: Appreciating Francesco Guardi's Changing Genres/ A Guardi Retropsective at Museo Correr in Venice

It's easy to see why the material spoke to the director: With his painterly filmmaking style, his characteristic interest in the intersection between longing and restraint, and his ongoing fascination with the early postwar England of his own childhood, Davies has been able to shape the stage play to his strengths, telling the story from Hester's point of view.

CNN: Review: 'The Deep Blue Sea' is nuanced

The latter comes across as particularly rich, with his distinctive third-person speaking style and tossed-off "Aghs, " all rendered with Cramer's painterly eye.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS