Details
Movie Description
E.M. Forster's provocative 1914 novel, published posthumously in 1971, is brought to the screen by director James Ivory in this beautifully photographed film. Set in pre-World War I England, the film concerns the coming of age of two young men who meet at Cambridge University and fall in love. Maurice (James Wilby, who played Anthony Hopkins's son, Charles Wilcox, in REMAINS OF THE DAY) and Clive (Hugh Grant) struggle with their hearts within the confines of a rigid society's moral hypocrisy. Clive eventually succumbs to a traditional life after witnessing the social banishment and imprisonment endured by another gay friend, Viscount Risley (Mark Tandy). But Maurice struggles with his sexual desires and chooses a more difficult, but honest, way of life. When a young gamekeeper (Rupert Graves) returns his affections, Maurice experiences his first real happiness. The film deals with trademark Merchant-Ivory themes involving individuals who are trapped by their society's strict conventions and who often attempt to break free, with varying consequences of fulfillment or disaster.
Synopsis
Set in pre-World War I England, MAURICE concerns the coming of age of two young men who meet at Cambridge and fall in love. It dissects the era's moral hypocrisy as Maurice and Clive struggle with the desires of their hearts in an intolerant society.
The film is a beautiful period drama from the masters of the genre, Merchant-Ivory,
and stars Hugh Grant and James Wilby.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
Stereo - English
Additional Release Material:
Featurette - 1. "Conversations With the Filmmakers"
Deleted and Alternate Scenes (30 Minutes) w/ Audio Commentary by Director James Ivory
Video Interviews - 1. James Ivory - Director
2. Ismail Merchant - Producer
3. James Wilby - Star
4. Hugh Grant - Star
5. Rupert Graves - Star
6. Kit Hesketh-Harvey - Screenwriter
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
MAURICE was screened at the Venice Film Festival on August 29, 1987.
MAURICE was filmed on location in London, Cambridge, and Wilbury Park in Wiltshire, England. The interior shots at the school were filmed at King’s College, Cambridge, E.M. Forster’s alma mater. A few exterior shots were filmed at Trinity College, King’s longtime rival.
E.M. Forster wrote the novel in 1914, but due to its controversial content, it remained unpublished until 1971--a year after his death.
At the Venice Film Festival where the film was first screened, James Wilby and Hugh Grant shared the Best Actor award.
Helena Bonham Carter has a cameo in the film as a spectator at a cricket match.
Industry Reviews
"...It is subtle, intelligent, moving, and absorbing; also extraordinary, in the way it mixes fear and pleasure, horror and love..."
Sight and Sound - p.290 - Claire Tomalin
"...A keen sense of the exquisite....Subtly scathing..."
New York Times - p.C18 - Janet Maslin
"...Technically immaculate....[The] visuals are sharp..."
Variety - Lor.
"...MAURICE is well-nigh flawless, starting with its performances in which the slightest inflection can be loaded with significance..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (10/01/1987)
"Ivory provides his critique with an exquisite cinematic tableau....[H]e turns a tale of hopeful liberation into a classic love story."
Premiere - Premiere Staff (05/01/2004)
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