Review of The Remains of the Day (1993) by Serkan S — 07 May 2008

In 1993, there were 3 mainstream Hollywood movies: "Schindler's List", "Philadelphia" & "The Remains Of The Day". Although "The Remains Of The Day" was nominated for 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, it didn't win even a single one. It was overlooked due to the dominance of "Schindler's List" which grabbed all major awards. But, no problem.

"The Remains Of The Day" is a quiet and slow-paced period piece rich in every detail, subtle in every feeling, perfect in every aspect. The cinematography, costumes and scores are sheer perfection in capturing not only the ambiance & mood of a great English countryhouse with splendid rooms and vast gardens where the servants passed their lives "in service" to their titled masters, but also the political background of England between two World Wars.

Superbly crafted, this is a poignant story making bitter mixture of unrequited love, self-imposed repression, debilitating perfectionism, blind loyalty, upper-class bigotry, and incognizance.

Undoubtedly, Anthony Hopkins is one of the greatest actors of all times. As always, he delivers another top-notch performance portraying Stevens: a butler devoting his life to his job with rigorous dedication, although unknowing this preoccupation virtually ruins his life. Neither a potential emotional relationship with a younger housekeeper, nor his blue blood's misguided intentions to encourage other eminent statesmen from England, France and USA to assist Nazis to rebuild the war-stricken Germany, distract him from his selfless service. Even he keeps going, going and going while his sick & old father is giving his last breath on upper floor. He is too weird to be true... Highly recommended...