Director: James Ivory
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Day-Lewis and Maggie Smith
‘A Powerful Period Piece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have made movies which audiences treasure like Helena Bonham Carter. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Carter has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s doomed lovers, magical witches or political leaders, Carter has often portrayed strong characters. Arguably, Carter’s strength as an actress has always been commitment to her craft. She is one of those special actresses that has always had a talent for stealing show in supporting roles which have limited screen time. Even when she isn’t the main focus of a movie, Carter has often left an impression. By her abilities to portray characters which prove compelling, Carter has established a powerful legacy that’s lasting. Although she is arguably best known for her renowned role in the Harry Potter series, Carter has proven she can excel in every genre. Throughout a powerful career, Carter has made many memorable films that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Carter and adore all movies she has made in her career. However, “A Room with a View” is my favourite. Released in 1986, James Ivory’s movie offered a bold adaptation of a beloved book about doomed love. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best period piece films ever made. At centre of it all is an incredible performance from Helena Bonham Carter, who embodies a woman stuck in a doomed romantic relationship. Ultimately, what makes “A Room With a View” a timeless period piece is universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the famous book to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message concerning identities which would resonate with everyone. A remarkable period piece about doomed love affairs, there are many strong reasons why “A Room With a View” is a commemorated movie worth seeing.
Set in 1980’s Florence, “A Room with a View” tells a story of a doomed affair among a pair of lovers. Helena Bonham Carter plays Lady Honeychurch, a woman seeking a romantic relationship. Assisted by chaperone Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith), Lucy embarks upon a journey to discover romantic relationships that face adversity. However, Lucy’s life drastically changes when she falls in love in a relationship experiencing disaster. George Emerson (Julian Sands) is a handsome suitor that gives Lucy a chance having a strong romantic relationship. As the two form a strong bond together, Lucy is forced to wonder whether it’s possible truly to achieve happiness. Facing barriers of social class disparity, Lucy wonders whether it’s truly possible for her to gain happiness in a doomed relationship facing tragedy.
James Ivory is fascinated with the stories of doomed love affairs facing tragedy. A brilliant filmmaker, Ivory has often made entertaining period dramas about doomed love. His iconic movie “Maurice” captured doomed romantic relationships between queer lovers that face tragedy. With “A Room with a View”, however, Ivory created his first ever period piece about doomed love. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to adapt a strong book about doomed affairs facing tragedy but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Ivory captures a doomed love affair facing tragedy. Ivory deftly uses point of view shots to capture hardships that doomed lovers go through. For instance, POV shots enhance the meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Lucy meets George for the first time in a romantic meeting. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Fight Club” demonstrated, POV shots elevate commemorated psychological thrillers. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Ivory celebrates a legendary book about romantic relationships that are compelling.
Another admirable aspect of “A Room With a View” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Ivory effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of doomed lovers enduring tragedy. Throughout the movie, Lucy’s strong costumes showcase her transformation into a romantic heroine. For instance, the costumes elevate the poppyfield scene. During this bold scene, Lucy and George engage in a romantic meeting in a poppyfield. Through breathtaking costumes, Ivory crafts a romantic relationship that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Richard Robbins’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the burden which doomed lovers bear. Through bold production, Ivory honours a beloved book about romantic relationships which are doomed to experience destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “A Room with a View” is a romantic film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture doomed lovers enduring destruction. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Lucy bids tearful farewell to George in doomed love affairs facing disaster. Through dramatic monologues, Ivory creates a romantic affair audiences can easily relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” claimed, dramatic monologues enhance films about celebrated Broadway musical plays. Kenneth Branagh’s “Cinderella” proved that monologues elevate Disney remakes. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through an exceptional screenplay, Ivory captures doomed romantic relationships facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Helena Bonham Carter delivers one of her best performances as Lucy Honeychurch. Carter earned appreciation for portraying magical witches in fantasy films. With “A Room With a View”, however, she took on her most iconic role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman facing a doomed love affair causing tragedy but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Carter has often excelled at playing emotional women in stress, and “A Room With a View” exhibited her strengths as an actress. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, grief and resentment of a commemorated woman enduring doomed love affairs that experience tension. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most celebrated actresses working in the entertainment industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Helena Bonham Carter, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Maggie Smith is marvellous, bringing authority to a woman seeking to chaperone her niece in romantic journeys in Italy. Daniel Day-Lewis is dazzling, capturing the standoffish nature of a suitor that endeavours romantic relationships to accomplish. Lastly, Rupert Graves deserves appreciation. As the friend of a doomed lover, he brings romantic tension to the movie.
Finally, “A Room With a View” would earn the appreciation of everyone for honouring a book readers value. Unlike most period pieces, the movie tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the celebrated book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about social inequality which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “A Room With a View” is definitely one of those rare period dramas everyone will adore.
Fans of Helena Bonham Carter will absolutely enjoy “A Room with a View” and so will movie goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. An awe inspiring period piece, it honours legacy of an actress that’s inspiring.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking romantic film about rooms with a beautiful view, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to entertain audiences by portraying larger-than-life women in unforgettable movies which audiences commonly value.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 