We are on a Chinese Take-Out binge this week. We’ve had it twice. All the leftovers make for a nice smorgasbord perfect for watching movies. I suppose for this movie we should have had Italian, but we didn’t think of it.
The Story: Lucy Honeychurch is visiting Florence, Italy with her older cousin Charlotte Bartlett. When the pensione where they are staying does not give them rooms with nice views as promised, fellow travelers, Mr. Emerson and his son George, agree to exchange rooms with them. In the days to follow they often find themselves together along with other English travelers. George finds himself attracted to Lucy and, on a picnic, sweeps her in his arms and passionately kisses her. He has fallen in love.
That is their only encounter and once back in England Lucy agrees to marry Cecil Vyse. The viewer can see that this is not a good match. Fortunately, fate intervenes when the Emerson’s lease a villa nearby. Lucy’s younger brother Freddy becomes good friends with George so he is at the house often on weekends. And then, as they say, the plot thickens.
What I Thought: Visually, this movie was stunning. I would have loved to have seen it on the big screen. The panoramic pictures of Florence and then the English countryside were like viewing classic paintings. The colors were soft and muted. I know breathtaking is a cliche, but the beauty did make me gasp in places.
There were also some outstanding performances. Maggie Smith as Charlotte and Simon Callow as the vicar were my favorites. I thought the actor who played Cecil was very good and was surprised to learn it was Daniel Day Lewis. Judy Densch had a small part. Lucy was played by Helena Bonham Carter and has gone on to quite a nice career. She’s been in the Harry Potter movies, the new Alice In Wonderland and others.
This is an adaptation of E. M. Forester’s classic novel by the same name. I found a little clip on YouTube so you can have a little taste of this film. Beware: There is a five-second scene of male nudity. In case you read German, there are also German sub-titles.
I could eat chinese take-out several times a week!
I have not yet read any of Forester’s works (nor seen the movies), but I had a student do a report on this last year and I was captivated by the storyline. It is definitely on the TBR list of books to read in my lifetime.
I have this in our Netflix list. I put it there after both of us discovered to our amazement that neither had seen it. I’ll remember to get Chinese food to go with it when it comes! (or pizza, for the Italian connection…)
This is one of my favorite “classic” movies. and for visual apeal you shoulcd watch Jean De Floret…Dont know if I am spelling it correctly though It is in french and is amazing.
Jean de Florette / Manon of the Spring
I found it at Netflix. Both of these are definitly worth seeing.
This movie looks wonderful, but I doubt I could get my guys to watch it with me.
This is on my list to read this year so I’ll have to see this after I’ve read it. Anything that takes me back to Italy is a good thing
This is one of my all time favorite books!! and the movie is one I love and watch again & again & again… I find I never tire of it. I first saw it on a big screen, and it is much better viewed that way. My cousin Leah and I used to quote from the movie, because the dialogue is very entertaining.
Now I want some Chinese food!!! I’ve never watched the movie nor read the book. I liked your post about this one and I just may have to check it out from my library!
A Room With a View is one of my favorite books, and when the movie came out, I went to see it with a good friend of mine, and I fell totally in love with the movie, too. It is, as you said, just so beautifully done. Breathtaking!
A room with a view is one of my favouite books and films ;0)