Maurice
Set against the stifling conformity of pre-World War I English society, MAURICE is a story of coming to terms with one's sexuality and identity in the face of disapproval and misunderstanding. Maurice Hall (James Wilby) and Clive Durham (Hugh Grant) find themselves falling in love at Cambridge.
At a time when homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment, the two must keep their feelings for one another a secret. After a friend is arrested and disgraced for "the unspeakable vice of the Greeks," Clive abandons his forbidden love and marries a young woman. Maurice, however, struggles with his identity and self-confidence, seeking the help of a hypnotist to rid himself of his undeniable urges. But while staying with Clive and his wife, Maurice is seduced by the affectionate servant Alec, an event that brings about profound changes in Maurice's life and outlook.
Nominated for Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards. Winner of Best Actor, Best Score, the Silver Lion, and nominated for the Gold Lion at Venice Film Festival.
"Wilby cracks the character's genteel surface, releasing bursts of fear, pride, and relief. His Maurice is neither martyr nor saint, radical only in his choice to pursue happiness." - Serena Donadoni, Village Voice
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Comments (9)
Stellar directing, acting, and set design. The introductory scene (the beach scene) could have been omitted, along with any mention of Mr. Ducie. The pacing was fine--better than the pacing in *A Room with a View*, another slow-moving James Ivory film--but the idyllic ambiance throughout ...Read more
Stellar directing, acting, and set design. The introductory scene (the beach scene) could have been omitted, along with any mention of Mr. Ducie. The pacing was fine--better than the pacing in *A Room with a View*, another slow-moving James Ivory film--but the idyllic ambiance throughout *Maurice*, coupled with the homosexual motifs, made the film as a whole historically and thematically enthralling.
Read lessDisturbing and filled with marvelous art direction and history. I have always liked the production qualities of his films, but this one has a certain sobering honesty to it. For in spite of the happy ending, the film quite vividly portrays what had happened to homosexuals back in early 20th ...Read more
Disturbing and filled with marvelous art direction and history. I have always liked the production qualities of his films, but this one has a certain sobering honesty to it. For in spite of the happy ending, the film quite vividly portrays what had happened to homosexuals back in early 20th century England. It's a desperate and dangerous life, and Maurice makes the most reckless choice he could. I'm have profound pity for men who have this preference even in today's world. I've seen them shunned by their family and friends. The filmmaker and his partner lived the gay life, and their devotion to each other makes this film their best
Read lessThis film was released in 1987, remember that was 32 yrs ago. Also historically covers after WW1, starting 1919 when the main characters were pre-puberty till their adulthood; pre WW2. James Ivory is an iconic film maker. Check his credits. It portrayed the current attitudes in England ...Read more
This film was released in 1987, remember that was 32 yrs ago. Also historically covers after WW1, starting 1919 when the main characters were pre-puberty till their adulthood; pre WW2. James Ivory is an iconic film maker. Check his credits. It portrayed the current attitudes in England towards homosexuality, and it did it respectfully with honestly and without judgement. Consider also this was filmed 20 yrs after Stonewall, but occurring in a time period 32 years before the beginning of Gay Liberation. To judge a time period requires some research into the history. The film was very interesting, and educational. That is what I love about Kanopy and local Libraries partnership. It allows you to self educate in an incredible amount of different subjects. I am personally elated to have access to this excellent program. It develops the ability to think critically, and facilitates the research of several subjects, and time periods. For perennial students as me. this is a non fattening candy factory. I encourage you to broaden your mind. For each offering during the Pride Month offerings, I have a triple list of books I want to explore. Have a pleasant adventure!
Read lessVery nice movie, but I wish there was a lot more affection between Maurice and Clive.
I imagine Maurice wished the same thing, but Clive didn't have it to give, did he? Or he was too much of a coward - take your pick.
What more might have EM Forester been and written had he not lived when he did?
I usually watch with captions - marked as 'in foreign language' when speaking in Latin. Dear oh dear.
The usual Merchant-Ivory opulent settings, and interesting period and social norms as a background for this story.
While the time period was interesting the film lacked content and was very boring. The only parts I liked were the first 30 minutes and the rest felt like a complete waste. Definitely not a recommended film for LBGT content with so many superior titles out there.