Maurice [Blu-ray]

have long been a fan of Merchant/Ivory productions, perhaps the best known being 'A Room with a View' and 'Howards End'. However, there is a Merchant/Ivory production made in the same time and with the same qualities that often gets overlooked, and in so being, it is in keeping with its source.Merchant/Ivory have worked through the writings of E.M.Forster's novels with flair, style, and grand film-making, very much in keeping with the grand style of Forster's writing. However, the novel Maurice was not published in Forster's lifetime. He believed, even to his death in 1970, that is was a novel ahead of its time. Yet Forster completed it in 1914.Alas, it was due to the English (and more general) tendency to discount gay characters as being appropriate subjects for literature, particularly when they are sympathetic, almost romantic characters. In Forster's own handwriting, a note on the manuscript found after his death read 'Publishable, but worth it?'This is a basic tale of sexual awakening in post-Victorian England, showing the relationship and the contrast between Maurice Hall and Clive Durham. Both are undergraduates together, and through the course of very English educational encounters, discover in each other 'the love that dared not speak its name', a situation reinforced by all worldly standards.I heard it once remarked that one thing that makes so many people rankle at discussions of homosexuality is that many people rankle at frank discussions of ANY sexuality. This dictum would certainly be true of the turn-of-the-century British. In one scene, even the professor teaching Greek glosses over references in the translation that are unappetising to him.In the end, we see the relationship between Maurice and Clive run full course, and see the classic options: Clive runs in a panic into marriage and a respectable life with a wife who seems to think she is a keen judge of human nature, but really hasn't a clue on this one; Maurice opts for love true to his nature, but at what cost? Alas, we don't know. The manuscript was unfinished, and the film likewise comes to no firm conclusion.The film and novel are great representations of Edwardian London and country life, as well as university life at the time. The minor sociological issues that arise; the class system is illustrated in wonderful characters (from the Durham household, a country-gentry, but essentially untitled family, to the Halls, a suburban middle class, to Scutter and the servants at the Durham estate, some of whom are as scathing toward a middle-class pretender like Hall as any upper-class person would be).The film, like most Merchant/Ivory productions, is an almost perfect period piece -- settings, costumes, mannerism, it is almost as if camera and crew were magically transported back in time to get the proper setting.Maurice Hall is played by James Wilby, who turns up in other Merchant/Ivory productions such as Howards End, but who has thus far failed to make much of an American presence. Clive Durham is played, on the other hand, by Hugh Grant, who looks very much different and younger from the Hugh Grant who went up a hill and came down a mountain to attend four weddings and a funeral only to get stopped by the police for solicitation in Hollywood...Superb minor supporting performances by Simon Callow and Denhom Elliot, also Merchant/Ivory regulars, help round out the cast, as well as a cameo by Ben Kingsley as the Edwardian verison of a reparative therapist, trying to hypnotise homosexuality out of Maurice, suggesting that he swagger more and walk around with a gun to increase his feelings of masculinity; this doctor utters my favourite line in the film: 'The English have always been disinclined to accept human nature.'He then suggests that Maurice move to France or Italy, where such as he are in less jeopardy.A very interesting film all around, a bit slow moving at times, but in all a great piece of film-making from great film-makers.Oh, yes, it is pronounced 'Morris' (like the cat).

Seriously! Evocative, sad, hopeful and very thought provoking, it's one of those films that stays with you for a while. Thank you, TCM and Merchant Ivory for introducing me to what is now one of my all-time favorite movies.James Wilby is astounding as middle-class Maurice Hall in 1910's England, who falls in love with upper-class Clive (a baby faced Hugh Grant, who is brilliant in the role) during their years at Cambridge. Clive's position and future expectations cause him to put the brakes on any physical relationship with Maurice, so they share a 'platonic' love for a couple of years. Then, the imprisonment of a mutual Cambridge friend for 'public lewdness', e.g. homosexuality, causes Clive to break things off completely, leaving Maurice devastated. Clive eventually marries, but keeps Maurice in his life on his terms, as a friend. Maurice, however, still carries a torch for Clive.On a visit to Clive's estate, Pendersley, Maurice becomes aware of the earthy, beautiful, lower class gamekeeper Alec Scudder, played by a radiant Rupert Graves (seriously, search for Alec Scudder on YouTube, and you'll be able to see him for yourself. And then you'll thank me!). Scudder's character starts out in Maurice's peripheral vision, sort of lurking on the edges, but then becomes a dominant force in the last third of the movie. He approaches Maurice first, and totally turns his world upside down. Not only was homosexuality a crime in those days, but a relationship with someone outside of your class was totally frowned upon. These serious issues, plus Alec's plan to emigrate to Argentina, are overcome in the very moving end scenes. So sweet!I have to admit that I watched this movie after "Room with a View" jump started my Rupert Graves obsession, and I've been searching out as many of his films as possible since then. Honestly, the man is truly gorgeous here, and he brings a tentative self confidence and abandon to the role of Alec Scudder that just makes you root for him. Graves has only gotten better as he's gotten older; he has the ability to totally morph into a role and make it his own.While there is a lot of male nudity (thanks again, Merchant Ivory!), the scenes are very tastefully done; nothing hardcore at all, but soft, thoughtful and romantic. The DVD extras are great; over 30 minutes of extended scenes, a few of which flesh out Maurice's character a bit more, and a few more extended scenes of Maurice and Alec which I really wish had been left in. There is also a great 'interview with the filmmakers', and a wonderful interview with the cast from, I believe, 2004, where they talk about their experiences making the film, a few witty anecdotes about collapsing beds and discussions they had about how to handle the love scenes (quite funny), and also, both James Wilby and Hugh Grant do a great James Ivory impression. I'd highly recommend the movie and this version of the DVD.

The film is another one of those beautifully made period dramas the Merchant/Ivory partnership has produced so many of. It is one of three adaptions of E.M. Forster novels made by them (the other two are 'A Room With a View' and 'Howards End').Maurice is set in England in the early 20th century, in the years before WW1 and it tells the story of Maurice (James Wilby), a young homosexual, and his experiences in a time when love among men was a criminal offense. In his student days at Cambridge Maurice meets and falls in love with fellow student Clive (Hugh Grant). While Maurice can't suppress his sexual desires, Clive eventually withdraws from their relationship and, conforming to the social norm, marries a woman. A later visit from Maurice is rather awkward as Clive tries to avoid him and deny their past relationship. And then Maurice meets Alec (Rupert Graves), a seductive young man in service with Clive's family...The story may not appeal to everybody, and for various reasons. The rigid rules of the English society of the time with its prejudice and lack of acceptance will be infuriating for many. However, as an adaption of the book, the film is rather wonderful. Besides the lovely visuals, there is much else to like about it, not last the excellent performances by the rather exciting cast. The young Hugh Grant (several years pre Four Weddings fame and the ensuing romcom fame) shows what an excellent actor he is in portraying the rather spineless character of Clive. James Wilby is quite impressive as Maurice and Rupert Graves is well cast as his young lover Alec. These are courageous performances by the three young actors, back in 1987, at the height of the AIDS epidemic, when acceptance of homosexuality was still a far cry from what it is now. Many well known faces of British stage and screen acting appear in supporting roles, among them Simon Callow, Denholm Elliott, Billie Whitelaw and Judy Parfitt.The picture and sound quality of the DVD are good. English subtitles are available for those who may need them.

I had memories of this film, good memories, and for years it was not available. Watching it 30 years later, the film was still exquisite. The three main men turn in memorable performances and the mixture of wanton desire, romanticism and sexual delight is still a beauty to watch. Even Mr. Forster may have been happy.

I remember seeing Maurice when the film was first released & getting it on VHS soon after.Read the book too & a later a life of EM Forster.I have seen Maurice as a play some years ago twice on stage,both in London...the 2nd one at ‘Above the Stag’ pub theatre in Victoria ... which is no longer as a building but believe the theatre company new premises on the South Bank...so yes l am a real fan of the narrative !

A fantastic film with subtitles on is crucial for me to understand what is it story about. A lovely gay lovers in secret romantic but sad film in the end, they had go separate life as it was at the time around 1900s was criminal for illegal homosexual, one of them was married with other woman and other person gone a new life.

What is not to like about this film. So english. So tender. Surprising ending. A total favourite