Amazon.com essential video: This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present, the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War II. Reunited with the filmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master, Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany, Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war, and, most effectively, his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression, but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master, Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties, although his is an emotional deprivation, possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. There's so much going on in this film, and yet the action is skillfully depicted through understanding and knowing glances, through emotions expressed only through eye contact. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations, this film is sumptuous to look at, capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Excellent in supporting roles are Christopher Reeve, Ben Chaplin, and Hugh Grant. --N.F. Mendoza
Marvelous acting and staging, but... It looks fantastic. Hopkins and Thompson give marvelously controlled and thoughtful performances.
But...after the film is over, I was left thinking..."Huh? Is that all there is?"
So there is a butler (or head of staff, or whatever his title was) who is so devoted to his job and whatever employer (who must be high-minded and a gentleman to earn such devotion), that he is never able to develope normal human interaction with women, his father, and strangers that he meets. Why is that worth two hours of dialogue?
And someone tell me why we are to believe that Mr. Lewis buys the estate, and uses his wealth to restore it? I kept waiting for some interesting revelation, but it never came. Surely his one visit thirty years earlier wasn't the only reason? I understand that wasn't even in the book. Stupid to put it in and not explain any reason, or involve it in the plot in some way, other than to show Stevens will now be devoted to a new estate owner.
Now, I'm sure the many fans of this movie will tag my review as Not Helpful, simply because they like the movie. Easy way out, folks. Why not try answering my criticisms instead.
Memorable Acting I had seen this movie once a long time ago, it seems, and had some warm memories of the movie. I decided on impulse to add it to my collection and looked forward to seeing it again. Well I was not disappointed; the performances by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson alone make watching the movie worthwhile.
Both characters come across as sympathetic and compelling; one feels a compassionate concern for the internal struggles experienced by James Stevens as he tries to live up to his goal of perfection. The doubt and confusion he feels as his pride and confidence in Lord Darlington is shattered; his decidedly mixed emotions as he contemplates his growing love for Mary Kenton, the Emma Thompson character. Mary, on the other hand is better prepared to face up to her feelings for James; although she realizes that she must proceed with caution. When her overtures are rebuffed, she must then decide how to deal with the rest of her life; her decisions lead her down a path with results that are not what she hoped for.
The movie is touching and gives interesting insights into the situation in England just before WW II. A worthy addition to anyone's library that appreciates good acting.
Don't buy this for the movie alone. But buy it for the commentary provided by Emma Thompson, Ismail Merchant and James Ivory! First, the movie is a wonderful period piece set in pre-WWII England at the manor of an English Lord with his staid and emotionally distant butler and the recently hired young head maid. The acting, not only of the main characters but also for all involved, is well done with the only weak spot when the German lady is singing (dubbed actually) and her acting also appears to be somewhat forced. Other than that I don't see how the acting in the movie could have been any better if at all. Secondly, along with the other extras there is the commentary provided by Thompson, Merchant and Ivory during the movie as they discuss the preparations for the scenes and the obstacles they encountered in making the film but most of all the lighthearted banter between them is at times hilarious and revealing. Buy it for the movie and the commentary! You will be glad you did!
Two of the best at their best Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson are both superb in this period piece. My favorite Hopkins movie
ah, the traditions of old, such wonderful chinks in the armor I've finally bought this film on DVD and after only my second second viewing, the first being back in '94 on video, this film still captures a period in England before the second World War when nobles propped up their idiocy by assuming they knew what was best for all. Their deeds were their much welcomed downfall. It's sometimes too easy to sympathize with them and their glorious lives with the best of food, lodging, decor and other trappings and traditions laced with refinement, but their need to retain it by working in misguided and criminal collusion with the Nazis was deplorable. To be fair few of the countries dragged into the war acted with any sense of real responsibility. Germany's war debt for their part in the WWI was absurdly high, impossible for them to pay. Many would argue that so I'll move on. The way this film exudes with that sense of inevitable transition even in the cloistered and sheltered halls of the Darlington estate is the true charm of this film. Anthony Hopkin's portrayal of the professionally restrained gentleman's gentleman is the perfect study of how driven ideals will bring about the worst results for that individual. He's glib, petty, and at times seemingly heartless, that is, until you see him use some odd but small tic when you realize there's a man under that granite resolve. Even his seemingly trite denial and glib attitude toward some of the other servants is exposed as a defense mechanism. He even exposes himself in some moments when he clearly has not considered the best course of action to take like his initial reaction to his father's grave situation and that moment in his quarters with the persistent Miss Kenton (played incredibly by Emma Thompson) wanting to know what he's reading. That moment is so tense with promise, with hope that his armor will fall, but he plays it too coy, too masterfully as if to shame her even while regretting it, and yet not acknowledging it. He draws her in on purpose only to allow the moment's promise to fail him. That scene always makes me want to rattle his cage. I could go on but all I want to say is everyone in this film delivers better than just fine performances. It's history and drama at it's best. As Mr. Steven's life unfolds, so do the small chinks in his armor. They may never become large, life changing kinks, but they are there and for anyone watching closely enough they reveal a man very much straining to hold himself together for reasons no longer clear even to him.
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