It's a tough call, because all of their movies are amazing, but I'll give it a go.
Howard's End is brilliant. The amazing cast (Emma Thompson, the fab Helena Bonham Carter, Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Samuel West... what's not to love!), the gorgeous scenery, costumes, etc. Those are all par for the course in a M/I film, for sure. I like the story, but found myself wanting to throw things at the TV whenever the arrogant Henry Wilcox was on screen, or his even more horrible son Charles (even though James Wilby is great in the role). The priggish condescention of most of the Wilcox family was maddening. But, it was still a great movie, and I found myself wishing I could be an honorary Schlegel, hanging around with Tibby in the drawing room and stuffing myself silly (Tibby always seems to be eating!), discussing politics, literature, and women's suffrage with Margaret and Helen! And oh, to live at the beautiful Howard's End would be a dream come true!
For me, though, Maurice is the best Merchant/Ivory film by far. It has all of the elements of Howard's End (great cast, wonderful acting, amazing scenery and costumes, and a wonderful overall dreamy 'look', plus a beautifully haunting score), but the story of Maurice's journey through life (sad, humbling, inspiring, and ultimately joyful) just speaks to me on a whole different level. The fact that the amazingly talented and gorgeous Rupert Graves is in it, is another reason it ranks #1 on my list!
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EJverh
12 years ago
Oh your honorary Schlegel comment made me smile in agreement! Although, I must say I like the Wilcoxes too for an odd reasons I cannot quite explain. I should like to marry Tibby and thus be a part of both families : ). Helen changes drastically throughout the film and goes from my favorite to least favorite character, so I don't know quite how well I would get on with her. I like Henry immensely and do respect him but I could spend all my time with Margaret whom I've gotten to adore. I love how Henry describes her perfectly well in glancing over the book on Theosophy she's reading and says that when Helen reads it she goes too far and her mind gets clouded but Margaret can read it and still keep her facts straight. That's why I love her. She's middle of the road in her beliefs while Helen is a raging, tactless and intolerant Bohemian/ Liberal. Tibby is a secret snob but so lovable and much more alike to Margaret than Helen. And, of course, I adore Ruth in all her limitations. Her heart is bigger than anyone`s, even Margaret. Obviously I love this film and the book so brilliantly adapted to the screen. It even lifts the the word straight from page in terms of dialogue. Remarkable, really. I do believe this to be the best Merchant/Ivory picture. It's as perfect as they come in everything.
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