Howards End - The Merchant Ivory Collection

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Howards End is E.M. Forster's beautifully subtle story of the crisscrossing paths of the privileged and those they disdain--and of a remarkable pair of women who can see beyond class distinctions. Dramatic and tragic, but also surprisingly funny, this James Ivory film focuses on a pair of unmarried sisters (Emma Thompson, who won an Oscar, and Helena Bonham Carter) who befriend a poor young clerk (Sam West) and, without meaning to, ruin his life. Meanwhile, Thompson also makes the acquaintance of a dying neighbor (Vanessa Redgrave), who leaves her a family home in her will--which her husband (Anthony Hopkins) destroys. But, ironically, he meets and falls in love with Thompson, even as their paths once more intersect with the increasingly miserable young clerk. Nuanced acting, gorgeous but muted cinematography, and a beautifully economical script by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, which also won an Oscar. --Marshall Fine

Description

Margaret and Helen Schlegel (Oscar® winner Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter) are sisters from a well-educated European family: intelligent, free-spirited, cultured, and highly emancipated by the standards of the time. A series of events brings them into a relationship with the Wilcox family: healthy, conservative, conventional, and very English, headed by the prosperous Henry (Anthony Hopkins) and his priggish son, Charles (James Wilby). Both families also come into contact with Leonard Bast (Samuel West) and his wife, a couple near the lowest tier of the rigid class system. Leonard's desire for cultural and intellectual status attracts the attention of Helen, who must come to terms with her unexpected feelings toward him. At the same time, Margaret must reconcile her independent spirit with her desire for companionship and a comfortable place in Edwardian society; her moral strength is eventually able to resolve the tangle of opposites. First published in 1910, E.M. Forster's Howards End remains one of the most important English novels of the twentieth century, and Merchant Ivory Productions' tour-de-force adaptation was one of the most critically acclaimed films of the 1990s.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty Much Perfect.......2007-09-14

I saw this in the theater when it came out six times. (Maybe more) I went myself, took a friend, went myself again, etc. It is a gorgeous, atmospheric escape into a compelling thought-provoking story; one of Merchant-Ivory's masterpieces, it's everything a film should be (In my opinion anyway...)

The ideas posed are: Who will inherit England? and the famous "Only Connect". These are beautifully summed up, and acted by Emma Thompson's Margaret Schlegel, the films heart and core, who connects the characters by small degrees of separation. Thompson's performance is a masterful, and earned her an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and countless other awards. The entire cast is magnificent - not a wrinkle in the fabric. Also outstanding is Vanessa Redgrave, the scenes between her fading Mrs. Wilcox and Emma Thompson's Margaret Schlegl are sublime.

After Mrs. Wilcox and Margaret Schlegel meet (because Margaret's sister Helen, and Mrs. W's son Paul cannot "connect"), Mrs. Wilcox bequeaths her family home - Howard's End (stand in for England) to Margaret and Helen, whose lease has expired on their own family home. Helen and the poverty stricken Leonard Bast "connect", and in the course of the story Leonard's son inherits Howard's End because his father could not. I could go on, but I'll just say this is a sumptuous feast of a movie. If you like great acting, a thought provoking plot, and authentic period recreation to escape into for a couple hours - chances are you'll love this one.

Extras are great; scenes from a t.v. adaptation with Glenda Jackson, a "making of" documentary from 1992, and interviews with Jenny Beavan (costume designer), Luciana Arrighi (magnificent set-designer), and of course James Ivory, Ismael Merchant and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.

Flawless!.......2007-08-22

Great story, gorgeously photographed, with a perfect cast, all adding up to first rate entertainment. Highly recommended!

Howards End as a Recurring Character.......2007-08-08

Well-loved story and exquiste settings and surroundings make for a multi-layered drama.
The lush countryside makes the different seasons Howards End progresses through set moods
that range from cozy to dark and stormy. Beautiful movie to look at but definitely more of
a "womens' movie" that one most men would sit through.

Love Emma Thompson........2007-07-28

I originally bought this film because Emma Thompson won an Oscar for it but now it's definitely one of my favorites for many other reasons. It's a relatively clean movie, which is nice to see today, but it's still for adults. The subtleness in the performances and in story line are beautiful to watch. If you like 'Remains of the Day' and other such films, you'll love Howards End.

Another stellar production from Merchant-Ivory.......2007-05-12

I love most of Merchant-Ivory's productions, and this is one of their best. The stellar cast itself would compel one to view this excellent production. Anthony Hopkins plays the patriarch of the Wilcox clan, whose wife, played impeccably by the ever graceful Vanessa Redgrave owns Howards' End, the ethereal family homestead. Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter play the Shlegel sisters who are quite down to earth. Bonham Carter does an excellent job of portraying the wilful younger sister whose love for a working class man ultimately leads all three families to examine their values & principles, and most importantly, to look deep within their souls. A great movie about the class conflict in England as well as the passions that drive three different families.

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