It’s more of an actors showcase than Howard’s End– which is not a compliment – I love the film but the acting is still probably better in Howard’s End.
Long flashbacks and letters between Hopkins and Thompson formulate the narrative structure—both actors- collaborated with Merchant Ivory in 1992’s Howard’s End– are in top form and amongst the best in the world at that time
Ebert- “I got some letters from readers who complained the movie was boring, that “nothing happens in it.” To which I was tempted to reply: If you had understood what happened in it, it would not have been boring.”
Merchant/Ivory trademark- a crest on the titles- importance, upper class, regal
Nominated for 8 Oscars
The detail—Hopkins walk is impeccable—he’s a servant, but very vain-
Dissolve transitions- matches the rest of the form of the film
The two actors, in parallel, looking out of the window- beautiful—a reversal of The Room with a View shot at the end
Great scene of Hopkins and Hugh Grant talking about sex- hilarious
Immaculate castle for our setting and set piece
Hopkins can do detachment and reserve unlike any other actor- there’s a great scene with a teal blue doorway/wall in the background and Thompson and Hopkins in the foreground in shadows as she delivers to him the bad news that his father has died- it’s a gorgeous scene “My father would wish me to carry on with my work. I can’t let him down”- it’s devastating
Duel noms for Emma in 1993 for this in lead and In the Name of the Father in supporting- that’s coming off of winning in 1992 for Howard’s End
Robert Altman’s brilliant Gosford Park owes much to this film- it’s really two films- there’s the servants life and the life of James Fox and Christopher Reeves— the landlords- Nazi and politics- those whom Hopkins and Thompson serve—another great scene of Hopkins, who is very prideful here, insulted by the men he’s serving by betting on whether he knows certain things about politics
The second of four noms for Hopkins—all in the 90’s
A great film of unrequited love
Discretion, mannered, unflappable, a meditation—strain
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