Howards End

Relies far too heavily on caricature to stratify the sets of characters. Script was a bit heavy-handed at times.

Sometimes I find this English gentility to be the most pleasant thing in the world, and all the better when the film's sympathies are grounded in the middle class, retaining the elegance without too stiff an upper lip. It's always satisfying to see the privileged without scruples get their comeuppance, especially when shot and performed with this superb level of taste.

Charming, utterly delightful romantic comedy. It may, in fact, be the quintessential drawing room movie, a gorgeously photographed, deliciously acted exploration of class division and human needs in 1910 England. Charged with wit, style, grace, and elegance, and performed by a dream cast.

Merchant/Ivory's most accomplished film. One of the few cases where the adaptation was better than the original book. That means a lot since I love E.M. Forster's writings.

Highly enjoyable, superbly made and terrifically acted, "Howards End" isn't the deepest of all films, but it's a mighty fine and sharply sophisticated costume drama, with the seal of the Ivory/Merchant partnership.

Not too bad. Performances are good. More compelling than it sounds.

Engaging like few Victorian chamber dramas are, helped largely by the solid cast.

Infinitely British

Absorbing drama of Edwardian Britain. Would have preferred to see Phoebe Nicholls as Margaret Schlegel.

I think this might just not be my kind of movie, but this was seriously boring. None of the characters or the situations they found themselves in were of the slightest interest to me. Oh well, at least it's well-made.

Didn't hate it but this is one of those movies that you would prefer not to see again.

#90s(e)#, reviews, story

Outstanding performances, beautifully filmed and quite a family drama.

Doesn't capture the tone of the novel perfectly and feels slightly uneven in that regard but it's one hell of a cast and the fascinating story and themes still hold.

As much as I adore Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins, I more admire this movie for their strained reserve than I love it.

Seriously gorgeous movie

Spectacular Merchant/Ivory film with a great cast. The line "Did you see the dawn" will always make me cry.

Delightfully English. With some fine acting, especially Emma Thompson is absolutely charming.

Very good!

Merchant Ivory has always been known for a certain kind of prestige picture that lolls about in refined sensuousness. This is their masterpiece. Brilliant performances from Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter & Vanessa Redgrave. Exquisite & filled with incredible beauty. One of the finest films of the 90s.

The story beats are oddly placed. It's like a portrait image that had the focus on the background rather than on the person. Huge story moments are brushed past in seconds (a marriage proposal scene was a 6-minute-long discussion on property aspects and 5 seconds proposal at the end) - or even offscreen (characters die and have affairs and we are only ever alluded to these events, not shown!) And the dialogue diarrhea is worse than on Gilmore Girls. I utterly fail to see the point of this film.

I love Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins, and I'm beginning to love Helena Bonham Carter. Despite being very English and quaint, the movie was actually quite action-packed. My major complaint is that the music is mixed way too loud relative to the rest of the movie. There are these setting scenes where there is music but no dialogue. The volume of these scenes is at least twice as high as the scenes with dialogue, so I had to adjust the volume down and back up at least 3 or 4 times.

The plot strands come together nicely. A lot better than 'A Room with a View'.

brilliant performances in this epoch movie

"Say "Merchant-Ivory" to most cinephiles and watch their eyelids sag." - Eric Henderson

Great film.

I found Tibby the only interesting character. These merchant ivory films are basically hallmark movies for olde english ladies.

Some of this movie is splendid, but a few parts fell a bit short. Emma Thompson was marvelous, but there was almost no chemistry between her and Anthony Hopkins character. Helena Bonham Carter played a very passionate role. Vanessa Redgrave was also a joy. The story was interesting and somewhat memorable.

Made myself watch this. Glad I did.

A superbly-mounted adaptation of E.M. Forster's tale of British class tension, with exceptional performances all round, Howard's End ranks among the best of Merchant-Ivory's work.

There's nothing actually 'wrong' with this movie, great photography & performances. I expected a lot more out of the class dynamics though, which were pretty flat and uninteresting.

Gorgeous.

Decent shit. :) I mean it's not that interesting or exciting or deep, but entertaining. With a cool cast.

A re-visit proved disappointing. My least favourite Forster adaptation.