I’ve just watched the Merchant Ivory documentary from Stephen Sousy and have felt compelled to dig in to a world that previously passed me by. I’m starting with A Room with a View. We’re in pre-war Florence with Lucy (Helena Bonham Carter) and her prim chaperone Charlotte (Maggie Smith). They’re in a pickle as to what to do about their lodgings without the promised view. It may seem trivial, but it’s oddly engaging as Charlotte fusses over social delicacies with the more uncouth but well meaning Mr Emerson (Denholm Elliott) and his son George (Julian Sands), to whom Lucy takes a shine. Lucy is confident and independent, as far a society allows. She’s not looking for anything in particular, other than experience, perhaps a touch of holiday adventure. She finds herself in a world of cathedral visits, carriage rides out to the countryside, where young George too is looking to broaden his horizons and gets a taste, so to speak. Alas upon returning to England we meet Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis) who has plans with Lucy too. Afternoon tea in English country gardens, with the clueless and stuffy Cecil declaring himself a man of leisure. I suspect is not quite the adventure that Lucy is looking for. Cecil is instantly dislikable. A prototype that I’ve no doubt Jacob Rees-Mogg has modelled himself on. Lucy’s two worlds are about to collide, as The Emerson’s come to stay in her idyllic Surrey summer and everyone gets in a stiff upper lip muddle. It’s a comical study in allowing emotion to be ruled by decorum, until Lucy has an awakening. I’d have hated this if I’d watched this on release, but now, well I’m smitten. Simply delightful.
8/10
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