A Room With A View

If you're looking for some period fluff with little lasting emotional impact but with pretty scenery and nice dresses, Merchant Ivory seems a good place to go. In fact the only reason I watched this film was because my mother is fascinated with them shooting the scenes based on Monet's paintings. But putting this aside, I shall attempt to give an objective review.

Proudly sporting the title of Best Picture of 1986. Obviously there wasn't much else on in 1986.

Helena Bonham Carter (Dark Shadows, Harry Potter, Frankenstein) stars as Lucy, the privileged girl who somehow finds her way to Florence with her immensely annoying chaperon Charlotte (Maggie Smith), who her entire family seem to hate. I was dismayed by the quality of Bonham Carter's acting, I'm usually in love with the woman, but as this was one of her earliest roles the only facial expression she can muster is petulance. Meanwhile Maggie Smith gives a typical Maggie Smith performance, making you want to strangle her, but in a good way.

Whilst in Florence, Lucy meets George Emerson (Julian Sands), who offers her a room with a view (which is, of course, highly symbolic of...something). It quickly becomes apparent that George is slightly mad, but this doesn't stop Lucy falling for him after they encounter some aggressive Italians (are the two events connected?).

The rest is hugely predictable, and the whole thing feels like its been done a thousand time before. But the oddball characters save it from mediocrity. My personal favourite is Simon Callow as Mr Beeb, the softly spoken vicar. His expression of horror when he learns Lucy is marrying Cecil (who is the author of one of the most unromantic kisses in the history of cinema) is simply divine. Even better than this is when Mr Callow throws of his vicarly habiliments to go skinny dipping in a pond, only to be discovered by Lucy and her companions. George, also naked, does a nude star jump in front of poor Lucy and then runs of into a bush. The whole film is worth watching simply for this scene!

Rating: 3/10