A Room with a View (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Set during the Edwardian Era, 'A Room with a View' (directed by James Ivory of Merchant/Ivory productions, & adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from a novel by E.M. Forster) stars newcomer Helena Bonham Carter as young Englishwoman Lucy Honeychurch. As the film begins, Lucy & an older chaperone, her batty spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlette (Maggie Smith), arrive on holiday in Florence, Italy, & are troubled by the fact that they can't get 'a room with a view'. Later that night at dinner, they make the acquaintance of a host of interesting personalities/tourists including a novelist named Eleanor (Judi Dench), as well as fellow guests Mr. Emerson (Denholm Elliot) & his quiet, yet eccentric son George (Julian Sands); whom offer to exchange their rooms for that of the 2 ladies.
This exchange is the 1st of several events where Lucy & Charlotte are involved with the Emersons & other guests from their hotel. But when Lucy & George realize their feelings for each other (when he kisses her), it's not as wonderful as initially seemed. He likes her a lot, but Lucy is engaged back in 'ole England to the nerdy Cecil Vyse (a great Daniel Day-Lewis). Now Lucy begins to doubt her feelings for her fiancee. She heads back to England. Mr. Emerson stunningly moves into her neighborhood. And she winds up entangling herself in a web of lies to convince everyone (including herself) that she should opt for a proper marriage to Cecil, & that she really isn't in love with George {which, of course, she is}. It all becomes a matter of whose heart, if either of them, Lucy will cling to.
Simply put, this is a low-key, elegant, delightful comedy of manners. I use 'comedy' lightly; make no mistake, it's not the type of humor that will have you rolling - just a light, witty script showcasing the humor in humanity. Also, be warned, it's a very slow-moving film. Those who like a crisp pace may not be best suited to view this. Having said that, I ate it up. 'A Room with a View' is a movie full of life, with quiet passion for its emotional characters. And the ensemble cast does not disappoint. Helena Bonham Carter makes a remarkable debut performance as Lucy. There's something odd about her that is actually very appealing. Daniel-Day Lewis steals scenes as the stoic Cecil. Denholm Elliot is charming as the free-thinking Mr. Emerson. Judi Dench makes a splash as the novelist.
Maggie Smith is wonderful as the older cousin, Charlotte; she doesn't miss a beat with that screwy character. And Julian Sand's character (George) is interesting, in that: he's the source of passion in a society that is otherwise bound up in tight-lipped convention. He frees Lucy's spirit from her proper, suffocating existence. George is strange, quiet, yet intense, & strongly convinced of Lucy's worth. The look of the film is gorgeous, as well. Small budget, and all, it contains sumptuous period costumes & production design to complement the gentle story & superb acting. 'A Room with a View' is a smart, lithe film about having the courage to face one's true feelings in the face of class distinction & conformity. It's about how hard AND easy it is to change your life. I really enjoyed that.
This exchange is the 1st of several events where Lucy & Charlotte are involved with the Emersons & other guests from their hotel. But when Lucy & George realize their feelings for each other (when he kisses her), it's not as wonderful as initially seemed. He likes her a lot, but Lucy is engaged back in 'ole England to the nerdy Cecil Vyse (a great Daniel Day-Lewis). Now Lucy begins to doubt her feelings for her fiancee. She heads back to England. Mr. Emerson stunningly moves into her neighborhood. And she winds up entangling herself in a web of lies to convince everyone (including herself) that she should opt for a proper marriage to Cecil, & that she really isn't in love with George {which, of course, she is}. It all becomes a matter of whose heart, if either of them, Lucy will cling to.
Simply put, this is a low-key, elegant, delightful comedy of manners. I use 'comedy' lightly; make no mistake, it's not the type of humor that will have you rolling - just a light, witty script showcasing the humor in humanity. Also, be warned, it's a very slow-moving film. Those who like a crisp pace may not be best suited to view this. Having said that, I ate it up. 'A Room with a View' is a movie full of life, with quiet passion for its emotional characters. And the ensemble cast does not disappoint. Helena Bonham Carter makes a remarkable debut performance as Lucy. There's something odd about her that is actually very appealing. Daniel-Day Lewis steals scenes as the stoic Cecil. Denholm Elliot is charming as the free-thinking Mr. Emerson. Judi Dench makes a splash as the novelist.
Maggie Smith is wonderful as the older cousin, Charlotte; she doesn't miss a beat with that screwy character. And Julian Sand's character (George) is interesting, in that: he's the source of passion in a society that is otherwise bound up in tight-lipped convention. He frees Lucy's spirit from her proper, suffocating existence. George is strange, quiet, yet intense, & strongly convinced of Lucy's worth. The look of the film is gorgeous, as well. Small budget, and all, it contains sumptuous period costumes & production design to complement the gentle story & superb acting. 'A Room with a View' is a smart, lithe film about having the courage to face one's true feelings in the face of class distinction & conformity. It's about how hard AND easy it is to change your life. I really enjoyed that.