Howards End (A or 4/4 stars)
'Howards End' (created by the producer/director team of Ismail Merchant & James Ivory, & based on an E.M. Forster novel) tells a story of 3 representatives of the social classes in Edwardian England (early 1900's). The Wilcox clan (led by Vanessa Redgrave) are old-world aristocrats; with her husband, Henry (Anthony Hopkins), wanting more $$ and control than he already has. Matriarch Ruth Wilcox (Redgrave) finds a kindred spirit in the open-minded, bourgeois Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson). Margaret's younger sister, Helen (Helena Bonham Carter) mingles with the Wilcoxes, too (and not in an appropriate manner). And Helen goes on to befriend Leonard Bast (Samuel West), a man of lower social standing; struggling to survive. Much like Ruth Wilcox did to Margaret, Helen takes Leonard under her wing (aristocrat -> bourgeois -> lower class ... the 3 classes I mentioned above).
Unfortunately, Ruth dies, but bequeaths (in her Will) her beloved ancestral estate, Howards End, to Margaret. A portion of Ruth's inheritance would also go to her. But a contentious Henry burns evidence of the sale of the estate & decides to keep it for his own -- eventually romancing Margaret in the process! During the course of this 140 minute film, all 3 groups (their families & acquaintances) intertwine in ways of marriage, illness, despair, pregnancy, exile & ultimately tragedy. The Schlegels try to knock down the Wilcox's ingrained prejudices & help the Basts get back on their feet. All the while, romance dodges them. And maybe, just maybe, the Schlegels poked their noses in a few too many social circles. Joys & problems ensue.
Let me give you an example of why I love this film. It's the 1st scene that sets the mood. A woman (Redgrave, as Ruth Wilcox) wearing an elegant evening dress glides across a yard at twilight towards the house that she loves (Howards End). She takes-in the atmosphere, the evening noises, the cool air, the way the trees sway, her family inside the house, the light poking through from the dining room, etc. And she appreciates what she has: family, love, class, privilege, wealth. It's just a fantastic set-up scene for what soon follows. And Vanessa Redgrave is at her mercurial best as the sage wanderer through the tall grass & flowers.
I just ate this movie up. For as lengthy & as slow as it is in pacing, it's also entertaining, humorous (despite bouts of misery) & richly textured. That's putting it mildly. This is the type of prestige film that takes it's time to properly introduce all necessary characters, plot points, & develop them with emotion & organic happenstance. Although set in Edwardian England, this movie speaks heavily about modern concerns including family values, the clash btwn. uppity men & opinionated women, as well as the large gap btwn. the social classes. And epic ramifications are born from that.
'Howards End' is acted to near perfection. Emma Thompson is breathtaking as the kind, philanthropic, but hapless romantic, Margaret. Thompson brings a real gravity & humanity to the role. Just as her other cast mates do, she makes the difficult look effortless. I just loved Thompson's portrayal and, for it, she won an Oscar for Best Actress. Anthony Hopkins is excellent, too. His union with Thompson feels completely realistic. But his stern character is harder to swallow. Helena Bonham Carter is as cute & odd as ever. But she brings extra dimensions to her role, as well. And Vanessa Redgrave oozes majesty as the ailing Ruth Wilcox. There's a scene towards the beginning where she warmly, innocently offers her opinion at a dining table that if all the mothers of soldiers of the world were to come together; than war would be eradicated. It's a sentiment and a scene that I can't shake.
And so, I fully recommend 'Howards End'; particularly to those who enjoy immersive, intricate, deeply symbolic stories. The cinematography is dripping with beauty. The early 20th century sets & costumes are as regal & elegant as you can get. The English countryside is depicted as ideally as one can imagine. The dialogue is crisp, funny, romantic & somber. I could go on. Allow yourself nearly 2.5 hours, and you'll be good to go. Sublime film.
Unfortunately, Ruth dies, but bequeaths (in her Will) her beloved ancestral estate, Howards End, to Margaret. A portion of Ruth's inheritance would also go to her. But a contentious Henry burns evidence of the sale of the estate & decides to keep it for his own -- eventually romancing Margaret in the process! During the course of this 140 minute film, all 3 groups (their families & acquaintances) intertwine in ways of marriage, illness, despair, pregnancy, exile & ultimately tragedy. The Schlegels try to knock down the Wilcox's ingrained prejudices & help the Basts get back on their feet. All the while, romance dodges them. And maybe, just maybe, the Schlegels poked their noses in a few too many social circles. Joys & problems ensue.
Let me give you an example of why I love this film. It's the 1st scene that sets the mood. A woman (Redgrave, as Ruth Wilcox) wearing an elegant evening dress glides across a yard at twilight towards the house that she loves (Howards End). She takes-in the atmosphere, the evening noises, the cool air, the way the trees sway, her family inside the house, the light poking through from the dining room, etc. And she appreciates what she has: family, love, class, privilege, wealth. It's just a fantastic set-up scene for what soon follows. And Vanessa Redgrave is at her mercurial best as the sage wanderer through the tall grass & flowers.
I just ate this movie up. For as lengthy & as slow as it is in pacing, it's also entertaining, humorous (despite bouts of misery) & richly textured. That's putting it mildly. This is the type of prestige film that takes it's time to properly introduce all necessary characters, plot points, & develop them with emotion & organic happenstance. Although set in Edwardian England, this movie speaks heavily about modern concerns including family values, the clash btwn. uppity men & opinionated women, as well as the large gap btwn. the social classes. And epic ramifications are born from that.
'Howards End' is acted to near perfection. Emma Thompson is breathtaking as the kind, philanthropic, but hapless romantic, Margaret. Thompson brings a real gravity & humanity to the role. Just as her other cast mates do, she makes the difficult look effortless. I just loved Thompson's portrayal and, for it, she won an Oscar for Best Actress. Anthony Hopkins is excellent, too. His union with Thompson feels completely realistic. But his stern character is harder to swallow. Helena Bonham Carter is as cute & odd as ever. But she brings extra dimensions to her role, as well. And Vanessa Redgrave oozes majesty as the ailing Ruth Wilcox. There's a scene towards the beginning where she warmly, innocently offers her opinion at a dining table that if all the mothers of soldiers of the world were to come together; than war would be eradicated. It's a sentiment and a scene that I can't shake.
And so, I fully recommend 'Howards End'; particularly to those who enjoy immersive, intricate, deeply symbolic stories. The cinematography is dripping with beauty. The early 20th century sets & costumes are as regal & elegant as you can get. The English countryside is depicted as ideally as one can imagine. The dialogue is crisp, funny, romantic & somber. I could go on. Allow yourself nearly 2.5 hours, and you'll be good to go. Sublime film.