This wonderful Merchant Ivory production can be revisited over and again with its perfect casting, launching the careers of Helena Bonham Carter (at 18) Julian Sands, Rupert Graves and Daniel Day-Lewis, as well as cementing those of Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Adapting the 1908 E.M. Forster novel, the screenplay gently critiques the fastidious, supercilious social niceties of upper crust Edwardian England as young Lucy Honeychurch (Bonham Carter) tours Italy, chaperoned by her cousin, prissy Miss Bartlett (Smith), shielding her from any hint of indelicacy. In Florence, Lucy encounters the dashing George Emerson (Sands), melting into that famous kiss in the Italian poppy field. Beautiful cinematography, beautiful lovers, beautiful Italy combine with the music of Puccini to carry us away.
UK 1985 (117 mins)
Sponsor: Kate Stoia