Howards End

Released 1992
Stars Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Joseph Bennett (III), Emma Thompson, Prunella Scales, Adrian Ross Magenty, Jo Kendall, Anthony Hopkins
Directed by James Ivory

"Howards End," a film at once civilized and passionate, is named for a house in the English countryside. It has been in the Wilcox family for a long time - or, more properly, in the family of Mrs. Wilcox, who makes it the center of her life and retreats to its peace when the noise of life in London with Mr. Wilcox grows too deafening. In America, where we change our address as easily as we change our telephone number, the meaning of such a house is harder to understand. We do not often grow up in the same rooms where our grandparents were born. But in a country such as England, until quite recently, many families had such houses in their histories, and "Howards End" is about the passing of the traditionals and humanist values that could flourish in such places.

"Howards End" is one of the best novels of the 20th century. Read it. This film adaptation, by the team of director James Ivory, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and producer Ismail Merchant, is one of the best movies of the year - one of the best collaborations ever by these three, who specialize in literate adaptations of novels of manners ("A Room with a View," "The Bostonians," "Mr. and Mrs. Bridge").

Summary by Roger Ebert

What an engrossing film. Not so much for story, but for the dialogue and mannerisms of a time and place nearly a century ago. On one hand it would be wonderful to live in a society that supported such civility, and on the other hand it would be maddening to be forced to repress your emotions and feelings like this. My only criticism was the ending, which seemed rushed. I'm sure there was pressure to shorten a film which was already well over 2 hours, but another ten minutes or so would have strengthened the ending. -- Bill Alward June 10, 2001