Maurice (1987)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

James Ivory

Writers:

E.M. Forster (from the novel by)
Kit Hesketh-Harvey (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 September 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Two male English school chums find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. To regain his place in society...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Gamekeeper | Hypnosis | Male Nudity | Hugging

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

James Wilby	...	Maurice Hall
Hugh Grant	...	Clive Durham
Rupert Graves	...	Alec Scudder
Denholm Elliott	...	Doctor Barry
Simon Callow	...	Mr. Ducie
Billie Whitelaw	...	Mrs. Hall
Barry Foster	...	Dean Cornwallis
Judy Parfitt	...	Mrs. Durham
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Anne Durham
Patrick Godfrey	...	Simcox
Mark Tandy	...	Risley
Ben Kingsley	...	Lasker-Jones
Kitty Aldridge	...	Kitty Hall
Helena Michell	...	Ada Hall
Catherine Rabett	...	Pippa Durham

Runtime:

140 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:(Banned) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Hong Kong:III | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Ireland:15

Filming Locations:

Assyrian Saloon, British Museum, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK

Company:

Merchant Ivory Productions

Trivia:

One of the country house locations, Wilbury Park, was owned by the actress Maria Britneva.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When Maurice and Clive enter the auditorium at the Wigmore Hall, the boom mic is reflected in the polished wooden panels on the wall behind them.

Quotes:

Clive Durham: Maurice, I hope nothing is wrong?
Maurice Hall: Pretty well everything. You would think so.
Clive Durham: Very well, I'm at your service. My advice there is to sleep here tonight and ask Anne. Where a woman is in question, it's always better to ask another woman.
Maurice Hall: I'm not here to see Anne.
[pauses]
Maurice Hall: I'm in love with Alec Scudder.
Clive Durham: What a grotesque announcement.
Maurice Hall: [ironically] Most grotesque. But I felt I should tell you.
Clive Durham: Maurice, Maurice, we did everything we could when you and I clashed out the subject.
Maurice Hall: When you brought yourself to kiss my hand.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Comic Relief Does University Challenge (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Miserere Psalm 51

"England has always been disinclined to accept human nature."

"Maurice" (prononced "Morris") is the film adaption of the book by E.M. Forster and stated to be semi-autobiographical of his life. The book was banned for many years and it wasn't until 1987 that this visually splendid film was released from Merchant-Ivory - ("A Room With A View", "Howard's End"). Set in early 19th century England, it details the coming of age story of Maurice Hall, an upper-class aristocrat who falls in love with fellow classmate Clive Durham (Hugh Grant). Shortly after their romance begins, a fellow student is entrapped and imprisoned for soliciting a military officer. Out of fear of losing his inheritance and political future, Clive decides to get married. Although hurt and feeling very alone, Maurice continues a close platonic relationship with Clive. After attempts to "cure" his homosexuality fail, Maurice finds himself falling in love with Clive's gamekeeper, Scudder. With the threat of exposure and blackmail always a real possibility, they must risk everything to build a future together. Supporting performances by Denholm Elliot, Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Kingsley help make this a true classic. The lush and elegant score is available as part a 3-disc set of Merchant-Ivory film scores. Guys, if you're looking for a great "first-date" video, it really doesn't get much better than "Maurice"!