A Room With a View

I forgot how much I loved 1. E M. Forster and 2. Merchant-Ivory films. "A Room With a View" is lovely. Helena Bonham-Carter was a young, Gibson Girl-haired beauty with an edge (not yet a husband-stealing oddball always kind of playing herself, although she's still interesting to watch, I have to admit). Julian Sands is lovely and that's tainted a little now too, by his strange and sad death, although maybe it was peaceful for him. Fabulous Maggie Smith and Judy Dench, always fun to see. Adorable young Rupert Graves and the talented Simon Callow. Amazing Daniel Day-Lewis, you definitely can't accuse him of always playing the same character. He's so perfect here as this perfectly groomed twit - he manages to bring so much nuance to it that I don't think I appreciated the first time around.

Merchant-Ivory excels at these sweeping vistas and lush nature scenes that elevate and reframe the mannerly plot to reveal the natural passions beneath (very true to Forster). You know when Lucy says "When I think of you, it is always in a room," that's going to be an issue. They also have these charming, old-fashioned title cards throughout that are something modern movies could use more, in my opinion. Just because they're fun and it makes the storytelling clear without interfering or requiring clunky exposition. Forster would certainly have appreciated the riotous naked male bathing scene. It's also really funny. 

This movie is a delight and stands up well to rewatching. And, of course, watching for the first time. 

Daniel Day-Lewis looking well turned out yet again. Have to love the boater hat.