Maurice

( 12 )

Overview

Director James Ivory brings his subdued, "Masterpiece Theater" style to a forbidden subject -- homosexual love. Maurice is based on E.M. Forster's suppressed 1914 novel that was held back from publication until after his death. The film takes place at Cambridge, before World War I, when homosexuality was outlawed in Great Britain. Clive Hugh Grant, an aristocratic Englishman with a life of privilege, suddenly shocks his close friend Maurice James Wilby by declaring his love for him. Maurice is initially stunned ...
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Overview

Director James Ivory brings his subdued, "Masterpiece Theater" style to a forbidden subject -- homosexual love. Maurice is based on E.M. Forster's suppressed 1914 novel that was held back from publication until after his death. The film takes place at Cambridge, before World War I, when homosexuality was outlawed in Great Britain. Clive Hugh Grant, an aristocratic Englishman with a life of privilege, suddenly shocks his close friend Maurice James Wilby by declaring his love for him. Maurice is initially stunned by the pronouncement, but in the end finds himself giving Clive a passionate kiss and telling him that he loves him as well. Clive, in the stiff-upper-lip British manner, considers their love to be more of an intellectual concept, but Maurice becomes passionate about the affair. Clive, afraid of being exposed as a homosexual, backs off and breaks up with Maurice for marriage, family, and politics. Maurice is crestfallen, but then he has a passionate affair with Clive's gamekeeper, Scudder Rupert Graves, and Maurice and Scudder decide to risk their reputations by openly living together as lovers.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Brian J. Dillard
Written in 1914, but published only after its author's death because he didn't wish to cause a scandal, Maurice is E.M. Forster's most personal novel, though it's also his least meaty. Unlike most of Merchant-Ivory's other Forster adaptations, then, Maurice boils its source material down to an essence without losing any of the flavor. As the callow title character, James Wilby does a good job fumbling toward self-knowledge in a social landscape devoid of self-help manuals or vaguely respectable role models. His character's arc may have become a tad overfamiliar in the years since the book was written, let alone since the movie came out, but in the context of pre-World War I England, it resonates. Hugh Grant, meanwhile, gets to have all the fun as Clive Durham, the lover who lapses from intellectual devotion into self-delusion as adulthood plies its many pressures. James Ivory's script insists on depicting Clive as a clear-cut closet case rather than exploring the ambiguous conception of homosexuality in an era before modern ideas about sexual orientation had taken shape. It's to Grant's credit, then, that he makes Clive's inner torment so wrenching. Rupert Graves' gay groundskeeper doesn't show up till the third act, but his unvarnished charm adds some much-needed grit and momentum to a film that sometimes seems to depict coming out of the closet as an endless attack of the vapors. Ultimately, Forster's conflation of working-class vitality with personal freedom is a little too pat for modern audiences. But, seen in its historical context as both a novel and a film, Maurice is as interesting as it is entertaining.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/25/1997
  • UPC: 707729651338
  • Original Release: 1987

    • Rating:

  • Source: EVERGREEN ENT
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
James Wilby Maurice Hall
Hugh Grant Clive Durham
Rupert Graves Alec Scudder
Denholm Elliott Dr. Barry
Simon Callow Mr. Ducie
Billie Whitelaw Mrs. Hall
Ben Kingsley Lasker-Jones
Judy Parfitt Mrs. Durham
Phoebe Nicholls Anne Durham
Mark Tandy Risley
Helena Michell Ada Hall
Kitty Aldridge Kitty Hall
Patrick Godfrey Simcox
Michael Jenn Archie
Barry Foster Dean Cornwalis
Peter Eyre Mr. Borenius
Catherine Rabett Pippa Durham
Orlando Wells Young Maurice
Helena Bonham Carter Bonham,Young Lady at Cricket Match
Maria Britneva Mrs. Sheepshanks
John Elmes Hill
Alan Foss Old Man at Train
Philip Fox Dr. Jowitt
Olwen Griffiths Mrs. Scudder
Chris Hunter Fred Scudder
Gerald McArthur Undergraduate
Breffni McKenna Breffni/Guardsman
Mark Payton Chapman
Miles Richarson Undergraduate
Philada Sewell Matron
Mathew Sim Fetherstonhaugh
Andrew St. Clair Undergraduate
Harriet Thorpe Barmaid
Julian Wadham Hull
Rick Warner Judge
Alan Whybrow Mr. Scudder
Technical Credits
James Ivory Director, Screenwriter
Brian Ackland-Snow Production Designer
Jenny Beavan Costumes/Costume Designer
Paul Bradley Associate Producer
John Bright Costumes/Costume Designer
Celestia Fox Casting
Kit Hesketh-Harvey Screenwriter
Mary Hillman Makeup
Peter James Art Director
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala Screenwriter
Alex Leyton Cinematographer
Pierre Lhomme Cinematographer
Ismail Merchant Producer
Richard Robbins Score Composer
Mike Shoring Sound/Sound Designer
Katherine Wenning Editor
Michael Zimbrich Asst. Director
E.M. Forster Source Author
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 12 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(9)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

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Sort by: Showing all of 12 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Maurice
    Wilde

    Moving and well-adapted

    Well adapted from the EM Forster novel to screen, Maurice is a well-done work about a man realises his homosexuality in college in 1910. At first confused, then enthralled within the arms of his beloved, he is soon afterward expelled from school. Following the disgrace of a college acquaintance, his lover retreats to a "normal" married life. After a passage of time, Maurice, now heartbroken, seeks the aid of doctors to "fix" him, only to realise he doesn't want to be.<BR/><BR/>I read the book first and fully engrossed in it during a trip to Chicago. I was intrigued, but wary, to discover a film version on the shelf of my local video rental. Though this is a UK production and not an "Hollywood" one, I still don't typically trust film adaptations of beloved novels, usually some part or another of the book's integrity winds up being compromised in the screenplay adaptation, even if only small ones made for time constraints; all too often, the results of clipping a scene here or there leaves some points muddled or or simply lacklustre. This one, though, is one of those splendid gems that truly does do the original text justice, even with small scenes omitted. The settings and costuming were absolutely lovely and the actors carried the look and dignity of their characters very well.<BR/><BR/>All in all, an instant classic I highly recommend to any-one who has loved the book.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 7, 2002

    The most beautiful queer themed movie ever!

    This is a gorgeous adaptation of a wonderful book. The cinematography is breathtaking, the score is beautiful, the acting of this fine cast is superb, and the direction could not be better. Highly recommended to fans of queer cinema and fans of period pieces.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 29, 2011

    Poignant and Hopeful - Very Highly Recommended

    I love all Merchant-Ivory adaptations, but somehow missed this one. Having watched it several times in a row this past week, it's now one of my all time favorite movies. James Wilby is amazing and sad as Maurice, a middle-class young man who falls in love with his friend Clive at Cambridge (a baby faced Hugh Grant). Clive is upper class landed gentry, and although he makes the first move, he soon comes to realize that their affair could ruin him, and land them both in jail (this being 1910 England and all). Maurice is devastated, but they remain platonic friends, on Clive's terms. Then Maurice's world is turned upside down when he begins a relationship with the gamekeeper of Clive's estate, Alec Scudder (a gorgeous and radiant Rupert Graves). Despite their class differences and the fact that they'd have to hide and live a secret life, they choose to be together. Their final scene at the boathouse is one of the most romantic in any movie. Although there is (quite a bit of) full frontal male nudity, the love scenes are very tastefully done and sensual.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Excellent Movie

    I enjoyed this movie as it shows the struggle of homosexuality and straight life given the pierod of time this movie takes place. For those who love great endings, this is a movie for you.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The rare film that is better than the book

    Brilliantly realized adaptation that manages the 'trip to Greece' question in a fashion far more believably than does the novel ... 'only connect' w/ this title and you'll be happy.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A most romantic love story

    I had no idea about the story when I saw it the first time, but I fell in love with the characters, especially Grant's character, so afraid of being 'outed' in a time when it was illegal that he had to lead another life altogether. Woe to Maurice! Vacationing in fine english country homes and bopping from country to country ... ah, what a way to live.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 1, 2002

    Great work from a great director

    One of the greatest movie I ever seen. Huge Grant has the role fitted him most and Rupert Graves is the shinning star above all. A must see!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 4, 2001

    Beautiful, soft, no standard sex or modern hardship film

    Though there are some who can't appreciate this film because of its longitude, it has a clear value, just looking at its historical view. The film cannot compete with the original book, written in 1913/1914 by E.M. Forster. Let others fall asleep, i surely can enjoy this one

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 24, 2001

    Gay Sleeper

    Really, I mean I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. Beautiful cinematography, romantic settings, a script that moves like a salted snail. Sensitive gay-themed movies may be few & far between, but I'm not so desperate for one that I'm willing to overlook the serious entertainment shortcomings of this snore-a-thon...zzzzzzzz.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 16, 2013

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 29, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 8, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 12 Customer Reviews