Review of The Remains of the Day (1993) by Stuart K — 16 Apr 2013
Directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant, then hot off the surprise independent success of Howard's End (1992), they were offered this adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's 1989 bestseller, originally intended as a film for Mike Nichols to direct, but he gave it to Merchant Ivory to do.
It's the perfect film for them, a touching, moving and gentle period drama, showing a time of class and distinction. In the 1950's, Darlington Hall in Oxfordshire has been sold to American Mr.
Lewis (Christopher Reeve), who retains the head butler Mr. Stevens (Anthony Hopkins), who has just received a letter from the former housekeeper Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson). It flashes back to the 1930's, when Miss Kenton started out at the house.
The house was run by Lord Darlington (James Fox), who used the house for political delegations. With the rise of the Nazi's in Germany, the house is used to broker peace in Europe to ensure there won't be a war.
Stevens stands by his master, even though when war breaks out, he's come across as a Nazi sympathiser, but he has feelings for Miss Kenton, but he never shows it to her. It's a very well made period film, done with a classy touch, and some brilliant supporting actors, including Peter Vaughn, Michael Lonsdale, Ben Chaplin and Hugh Grant.
Merchant Ivory knew how to do British period dramas, yet make them mainstream.
This review of The Remains of the Day (1993) was written by Stuart K on 16 Apr 2013.
The Remains of the Day has generally received very positive reviews.
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