Howard's End
Howard's End ★★★★ 1992 (PG)
E.M. Forster's 1910 novel about property, privilege, class differences, and Edwardian society is brought to enchanting life by the Merchant Ivory team. A tragic series of events occurs after two impulsive middleclass sisters, Margaret (Thompson) and Helen (Bonham Carter), become involved with the working class Basts (West, Duffett), and the wealthy Wilcox family (Hopkins, Redgrave). Tragedy aside, this is a visually beautiful effort with subtle performances where a glance or a gesture says as much as any dialog. The winner of numerous awards and wide critical acclaim. Thompson is especially notable as the compassionate Margaret, while Hopkins plays the repressed English gentleman brilliantly. 143m/C VHS, DVD . GB Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham-Carter, Vanessa Redgrave, James Wilby, Samuel West, Jemma Redgrave, Nicola Duffett, Prunella Scales, Joseph Bennett; Cameos: Simon Callow; D: James Ivory; W: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala; C: Tony Pierce-Roberts; M: Richard Robbins. Oscars ‘92: Actress (Thompson), Adapt. Screenplay, Art Dir./ Set Dec.; British Acad. ‘92: Actress (Thompson); Golden Globes ‘93: Actress—Drama (Thompson); L.A. Film Critics ‘92: Actress (Thompson); Natl. Bd. of Review ‘92: Actress (Thompson), Director (Ivory), Film; N.Y. Film Critics ‘92: Actress (Thompson); Natl. Soc. Film Critics ‘92: Actress (Thompson).