Howards End

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Joseph Bennett, Prunella Scales, Adrian Ross Magenty, James Wilby, Jemma Redgrave, Samuel West
Directed by: James Ivory
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Romance
1992

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Follows several very different families as their lives intersect in unexpected ways.

Review:

Tim: I was looking forward to Howards End- I'd just recently read the novel by E.M. Forster. I loved his writing, and I liked the story of the novel. I was intrigued to see how it would be adapted to the screen. I can say that the adaptation is very good- the movie captures all the essential elements of the novel, fairly faithfully to how it is depicted. That is a big strength. Like the novel, though, the story doesn't reach the emotional heights I would have liked. The movie is interesting and entertaining, but it didn't quite wow me.

Part of what makes the novel so good is that it depicts three different families at three different social positions. It explores the similarities and differences between the classes in a realistic, unflinching way. It's done in a somewhat subtly way that did translate to the screen. If you watch this movie looking for commentary of class distinctions, you can absolutely find it. If you aren't interested in all that and instead just want to watch a period piece about relationships, the movie works in that context as well. This is absolutely a strength of the film.

Director James Ivory does a good job of keeping the story moving. A 2 hour, 20 minute film is certainly somewhat taxing to sit through. Fortunately, the story is engaging enough that the movie never feels overly long. Ivory manages to represent Forster's novel well and there really wasn't anything crucial missing from the movie. I don't feel like I can say that about too many literary adaptations.

The cast is full of great talent who give strong performances. I do have a few quibbles about various members, but all in all, the cast is fairly strong. Emma Thompson is our protagonist, Margaret Schlegel. I thought Thompson did a very good job in the role I found Margaret to not be the most sympathetic character in the novel. We identify with her, but really because she's the most grounded out of everyone else around her. I wouldn't consider her one of my favorite characters. Thompson brings her to life, though. She manages to hit the right notes- she's energetic, a bit frazzled, but genuinely cares about those around her. Now, I thought Thompson was strong and certainly worthwhile, but I have to say I'm a little surprised she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. While she's undoubtedly good, there was never a moment where I sat up and marveled at her performance. Still, I had no complaints about her portrayal, so I wouldn't push too hard on her winning.

I loved the idea of casting Anthony Hopkins as Henry Wilcox. I have a hard time assessing him because he is portrayed as much more sympathetic in the movie than the novel. I really disliked Wilcox in the book, but I found him more understandable and rational in the film. I suppose some of the credit has to go to Hopkins for making us identify with a complex, controversial character. Still, I can't help but feel I would have liked the movie more had I a slightly more antagonistic feel towards him. Helena Bonham Carter was good as Helen. She's not what I pictured from the novel at all, but who cares about my mental model of a character? Carter never wows me with her performance, but it was fine. Adrian Ross Magenty felt like he sucked the air out of the room in every scene he was in. I just didn't believe a second of his acting. Maybe it's a coincidence, as Tibby is one of the most bland, ineffectual characters I've seen. Magenty does feel like Tibby in that regard. Vanessa Redgrave is very good as Ruth in a smaller role. Samuel West felt miscast as Leonard Bast. Bast isn't charismatic or all that intelligent, so in that sense, West fits. I just feel like West is an actor who belongs on the margins of the screen. He's far too forgettable for this role. One of my complaints is that I didn't really feel connected with any of the characters. That is partially due to many of the actors, but mostly with Forster's characters.

I am actually very glad I'd read the book first (you will rarely hear me say that) because I probably would have been a bit confused at various points as to who was who and why I should care. In this case, I'd definitely recommend the book before the movie. Ivory could have done a slightly better job of explaining who everyone was and why they mattered, for the lay viewers.

Now, while I didn't love the story in the book or in the movie, this is still an impressive film. It held my attention for 140 minutes, even though I knew how everything would turn out. It features a solid, Academy Award winning performance from Emma Thompson. The movie also won Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Art Direction-Set Direction. Add it all up, and Howards End is a success and a movie well worth viewing.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7


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