On M List of Movie Reviews
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Maurice (1987)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
12/16
12/16:
Maurice is another Merchant Ivory production that's based on E.M. Forster's eponymous novel which
was held back for publication until after his death due to tabooness of the subject: male homosexuality.
The best feature is the cinematography, and the costumes are elegantly designed, earning an Academy Award
nomination for Jenny Beavan and John Bright (they won it for
A Room with a View). The cast does a good job, but it's James Wilby
and Hugh Grant who score extra points for their intrepidity of taking the further step to play homosexual lovers.
Rupert Graves from Damage isn't bad, either.
However, I've been mostly put off by the frigidity. It's not that I don't like Maurice, but it feels
detachedly cold. Yet I have to be reminded that it's an English picture and that the story takes place in the
early 20th century. I just wanted to feel something, but it was never there.
But the ending is a nice touch and puts everything into perspective. It basically says Maurice took a big
risk because he believed in his homosexual love for Clive, regardless of the consequences, while Clive stopped
himself short since he didn't want to be shamed in public. That's why the latter had a quiet sad moment to
himself, realizing how much of a coward he was.
The theme touched upon is interesting because people struggled with their sexual identity for many years, deciding
whether or not it's a good idea to come out of the closet. If they did, what would the price be for doing so?
All in all, Maurice is a fantastic Merchant Ivory picture with an interesting storyline and wonderful
cinematography.