Room with a View (Helena Bonham-Carter)

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We first saw the Oscar-winning film ‘Room with a View’ at the cinema in the 1980s, and I liked it very much. However it was many years before we acquired it on DVD.  We watched it in 2007 and for some reason have not seen it again since then - until last night. We recalled the story, in general terms - it’s based on a book by EM Forster of the same name - but as ever, had forgotten many of the details.

The story is set in the Edwardian period, early in the 20th century. Lucy (a very young looking Helena Bonham Carter) is in a hotel in Florence when we first meet her. She’s accompanied by her rather strait-laced cousin Charlotte, whom we were delighted to realise was played by Maggie Smith. I had remembered that Judi Dench features, as a rather risqué writer (for the era), who was also staying there, but had quite forgotten about Maggie Smith in this rather important role.

Charlotte is bemoaning the fact that their rooms do not have a good view, although Lucy is trying to keep her quiet. They are overheard by Mr Emerson (Denholm Elliot), who offers - in a rather pushy way - to switch rooms with them, as he and his son, he insists, have no need of a view. Charlotte is horrified and embarrassed at this, but is persuaded by a clergyman friend, Mr Beebe (Simon Callow) who just happens to be there too, that it would be fine to accept the offer.

Mr Emerson’s son George (Julian Sands) is something of a free spirit, and falls for Lucy. He assists her when she sees an unpleasant fight, and she’s appreciative. But when they go on a drive and he kisses her, she is shocked; Charlotte even more so, when she comes across them.

The story moves to the UK, where, by a series of coincidences, Mr Emerson and George become neighbours of Lucy and her family. But Lucy has just got engaged to a young man called Cecil (Daniel Day Lewis) although it’s hard to imagine why; he’s brilliantly portrayed as an unbelievably dull and self-centred person who really wants to marry Lucy for his own sake, as she’s young and attractive….

With such a high quality cast, it’s not surprising that the film is very watchable, with an excellent pace and authentic scenery. There’s humour here and there - not just in the caricatured Cecil, but in a scene which we couldn’t possibly forget, in which two young men (and one not-so-young) decide to bathe in a local lake… without any swimwear.

I remember being a tad surprised that the film is rated PG as there is quite a bit of nudity portrayed in this scene; however it’s all in the context of humour with nothing remotely sexual about it. More concerning is the fight scene early in the film which has a lot of blood, and which causes Lucy to faint (and me to turn my head away). I suspect a rating nowadays would put this at 12 (as it is in several countries). Having said that, there’s no bad language, and not even a hint of a bedroom scene.

It’s unlikely to appeal to a child anyway; it’s a brilliant production, but there’s not a great deal of plot. So it will only really be of interest to those who like classic period drama, including older teenagers.  It's a comedy of manners, in a refined kind of way, but it's also, essentially, a love story.

‘Room with a View’ is nearly two hours long, but I was fully absorbed and enjoyed it very much. I even laughed aloud a couple of times. I hope we’ll watch it again in another decade or so, or possibly even sooner.

Review copyright 2020 Sue's DVD Reviews