Remains of the Day [VHS]
by James Ivory
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VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Anthony Hopkins, Caroline Hunt, Christopher Reeve, Emma Thompson, John HaycraftDirector: James Ivory
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog; French (Original Language); German (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 134 minutes
Release Date: 1995-02-14
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Studio: Sony Pictures
VHS Movie Reviews of Remains of the Day [VHS]
Movie Review: This remains one of my favorite films of all time...
Summary: 5 Stars
You can pretty much copy and paste my review for `Howards End' here and call it a day since my feelings for both films is pretty much identical. Both films possess this air of elegance that just engulfs every scene and creates this strength and profound character. I may prefer this film `slightly' but really, both films are just utterly brilliant, and effortlessly so. I think that is what is so spellbinding about these two movies, they are effortless. There is no sign of overreaching or forced gracefulness. Every single frame floats by with a restrained tension that just uplifts the entire film and delivers a beautiful piece of art to our eyes and ears, and most importantly, our hearts.
Consider this film perfection.
The story told here is of a butler and housekeeper in England as World War II is looming over the shoulders of everyone around. The film is basically a brooding study of human loyalties and the longing for a feeling of accomplishment. Stevens, the butler, is a man filled with repressed emotions because of his determination to do his job perfectly. He restricts himself, making many sacrifices in order to hold onto the feeling of control and pride. It's not a selfish or a detrimental pride (at least not detrimental in the usual sense) but a pride that comes from being able to say you have done something to the best of your ability. His relationship with the headstrong and rather liberal Miss Kenton tests his viewpoint and his methods.
Draped in luscious scenery and woven tightly into a profound and provocative storyline, `The Remains of the Day' will remain in your soul.
It lingers.
The film is propelled marvelously by the two leads, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Hopkins in particular is just brilliant here, showcasing his characters inner emotional frustration as he makes himself the proper representation of loyal service. It's a gargantuan on a performance, a pure tour-de-force that had no business losing the Oscar to Tom Hanks' hammy gimmick in `Philadelphia'. In fact, if it wasn't for Russell Crowe delivering one of the most fearlessly committed performances I've ever seen in `Romper Stomper', I'd give Hopkins my personal award for this. Thompson matches him with so much heart, warmth and spirit. I struggle with category placement with her (she totally supports him, but she needs no support herself) but either way, she is sublime.
They really NEED to do another movie together!
If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing this (or the splendid `Howards End') I highly, HIGHLY recommend you seek them out this instant. They are beautiful films that match their internal composition with richly organic performances and sumptuous scenery that just begs to be seen and worshiped.
These are better than modern masterpieces, they are modern miracles!
Summary of Remains of the Day [VHS]
This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present, the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War?II. Reunited with the filmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master, Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany, Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war, and, most effectively, his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression, but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master, Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties, although his is an emotional deprivation, possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. There's so much going on in this film, and yet the action is skillfully depicted through understanding and knowing glances, through emotions expressed only through eye contact. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations, this film is sumptuous to look at, capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Excellent in supporting roles are Christopher Reeve, Ben Chaplin, and Hugh Grant. --N.F. MendozaDrama VHS Video
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