Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p39

12/05/2014 05:26 par tellurikwaves

Vivid comedy of manners
9/10
Author: marissas75 from United States
2 June 2007

"A Room with a View" is one of the best-known Merchant-Ivory films, the one that made their reputation for tastefully adapting Edwardian novels. Working from E. M. Forster's charming story, Merchant and Ivory add gorgeous Tuscan cinematography, lush opera music,and a cast of talented British actors. Even a skinny-dipping scene is done with enough class that the movie got away with a PG rating (though that probably wouldn't happen nowadays!). In short, Merchant-Ivory makes it look easy—and this ease has led to charges of their films being dull and middlebrow, as well as to many imitators.

But this stereotype of "a Merchant-Ivory film" fails to mention just how vivid and hilarious "A Room with a View" actually is. With scene-stealing actors like Maggie Smith as a prim, passive-aggressive chaperone and Daniel Day-Lewis as a self-centered young man whose every gesture tells of his fastidious rigidity, a rich vein of humor runs through the film. The movie also delights in putting its heroine Lucy (a baby-faced Helena Bonham Carter) in situations that prove awkward, funny, and ultimately invigorating for a well-bred young lady of 1905.

Lucy finds herself in a love triangle, with society telling her to choose Cecil (Day- Lewis) but a deeper force pulling her toward the unconventional, moody George Emerson (Julian Sands). A comedy of manners, "A Room with a View" is sometimes guilty of seeing its characters as types, rather than people. Even Lucy is not much more than "the young girl transfigured by Italy" that Miss Lavish (Judi Dench), a writer of cheap novels, labels her as. Still, it's easy to get caught up in the romance of this delightful movie. After seeing it, you'll want to go out and defend Truth and Love from all those who would deny them. Or at least to start saving up for a trip to Italy.

Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p38

12/05/2014 05:21 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p37

12/05/2014 05:17 par tellurikwaves

Should have been Best Picture
Author: Boyo-2
25 August 1999

This movie is completely beautiful and always fascinating to watch. Each actor does great work,with Maggie Smith(as usual)being the most memorable.Her nomination was deserved but where was one for Daniel Day-Lewis? I thought he was more memorable than Denholm Elliot, who was nominated. This movie is one to own and take out to enjoy when the mood strikes. Best line - "Because she IS Charlotte Bartlett"!(??)

Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p36

12/05/2014 05:06 par tellurikwaves

A Room with a View
9/10
Author: FilmFanatic09 from United States
8 December 2006

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

"A Room with a View" is certainly a film rarity, in that this adaptation fully lives up to an expectations set by E.M. Forster's classic novel. The film is set during the Edwardian period, a time marked by the replacing of Victorian ways with more liberal ideals. This idea is personified by the static characters of freethinking George Emerson (Julian Sands) and prudish Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day Lewis). Between these two extremes, we find our heroine Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter), a young woman with a zest for life, but unsure of exactly what to do with it.

In referencing her skills at the piano, one character puts it quite nicely,"If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it will be very exciting- both for us and her."It proves to be exciting for the audience too,as we watch her coming of age through fascinating interactions with both fiancée Cecil,and George the young man she meets while abroad in Italy. It certainly doesn't hurt that these interactions are staged against some of the most beautiful scenery ever seen on the screen. Watching segments of the film with no sound could serve as an effective travelogue for Florence, Italy or Surrey, England. Of course that is just an added bonus, as it is Forster's characters who make the film come so alive.

In addition to the three points of the love triangle, veteran actors such as Judi Dench, Denholm Elliot, and Maggie Smith give such performances that upon rereading the novel, I suspect it would be an impossible task to imagine these characters any other way. In addition to the perfect ensemble cast, directing/producing team Ismail Merchant and James Ivory give absolute proficiency to their adaptation of the novel.All the right scenes are there. (We forgive them for a slight alteration to the classic"kiss in field of violets"scene, as violets were not in season during production.) Dialogue is taken directly from the pages of the novel. And they show boldness in their unrestrained filming of a playful skinny-dipping sequence.

I suppose it would be hypocritical to shoot a scene lampooning repression in a repressed manner, however. The basic story of "A Room with a View" is one which may have been told before, but like that special parent or teacher we all had growing up, this film tells that story better than anyone else could ever hope to. Its characters, their sensibilities, and their nuances enchant us. The entire production is a shining example of period film-making and the finished product is one worthy of repeated viewings.

It truly gets better each time you see it. You'll notice more too. For instance, pay attention to Lucy's love scenes with her two men, particularly what transpires and whether they take place in or out of doors. It is a testament to the adapters, that other such literary elements from the novel remain intact here. In short, Forster laid the blueprint from which these filmmakers built a tour de force.

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12/05/2014 04:58 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p34

12/05/2014 04:54 par tellurikwaves

An academy award winner that is really a true winner
Author: iwishiwereabondgirl from australia, australia
4 February 2004

Merchant-Ivory always do a good job. Their films are not only stunning visually, but they evoke an emotional response. A Room with a View is superficially a love story and I hate to admit it kind of stays there. But they stick to the books. Having read the respective, Howard's End, and a Passage to India, I can truly say they adhere to what has been written. But the books are completely about what you read between the lines. E.M Forester was pretty disgusted by his culture. Yet it was his....and he loved it.......because it provided itself with misfits...i.e Lucy and her beau.

He was an echo of Oscar Wilde. I think if you look very hard into this movie you will see that. Denholm Elliot is the epitome of an englishman who isn't an englishman. and he is the complete opposite of Mrs. Vyse....his opposing character. Even the vicar isn't what he supposed to be. Nude Bathing (Oh my Goodness) and in praise of passion he is a free spirit. I think anyone who can say bad about his movie has issues. Yes, its main-stream international. But its beautiful.

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12/05/2014 04:44 par tellurikwaves

Remains a Favorite
Author: moviefan2003va from Washington, DC
9 July 2003

This movie remains one of my favorites of all time. The acting is extremely pro. A case in point, I didn't realize for 5 years after first seeing the movie that Daniel Day Lewis was "Cecil Vyse". That's acting! "Lucy Honeychurch" (well played by Helena Bonham-Carter) embodies the struggle that most people must face at the beginning of their adult lives. Whether to listen to their own voice or the voice of others. Choosing one or the other can severely change the course of one's life.

"George Emerson" as perfectly captured by Julian Sands, is the perfect man that most hope to find in their lifetime and we all push for"Lucy"to realize this.The supporting performances by the veteran cast that include Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Denholm Elliot, Simon Callow (the wonderful Reverend Beebe) equally are brilliant. Well done!

Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p32

12/05/2014 04:39 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p31

12/05/2014 04:12 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR-CHAMBRE AVEC VUE de James Ivory (1985) p30

12/05/2014 04:07 par tellurikwaves

My favourite film ever.
10/10
Author: larajenny from Vancouver, Canada
26 January 2001

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

A lot of people expect this adaption of EM Forster's A Room with a View to be a stuffy costume drama. They see actors in period dress and are not interested. What those people are missing out on is a very funny, contemporary, subtle, well-acted and insightful film. This is as good an adaption from literature to film as I've ever seen.The tale of a group of English tourists to Italy and how their experiences change them is a stunning satire of Victorian social norms without losing sight of the charm of the individual characters. Fantastic.