Review of Howards End (1992) by Vuk M — 12 Apr 2016

This is a glorious movie based on the E.M. Forster book about the constraints and attitudes of the English class system during the Edwardian era. The teaming of James Ivory and Ismail Merchant produced a number of very good films based on Forster's work and built around them a recurring team of actors to fulfil the key roles.

Here, Helena Bonham Carter, James Wilby, Simon Callow all feature with the leads taken by Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins. Thompson won the Oscar for her performance and there was also a nomination for a superb portrayal of a supporting character for Vanessa Redgrave.

I do enjoy the feel of these Forster adaptations, dealing as they do with issues that seem quintessentially English of their era. They have a lovely humour of manners and mannerisms which is so well observed and makes for interesting characters on screen.

Everything in this movie just seems to work so well. The costumes are stunning, accents are clipped and precise and the passions bubble under the surface. There's a wonderful feel of a society at its height but on the verge of great change.

A wonderful drama which is a joy to watch, Howards End just shines with brilliance.