A Room With A View (1986)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Cynthia S

  
  Nice movie. Not my favorite of this genre, but satisfying. A little slow.

• Spencer S

  
  My very first Merchant/Ivory film, A Room with a View has been this foreboding slot in my to do list for the past three years. The reasons I didn't want to see it are probably the same that some people use to dislike it: it's schmaltzy, none too original, and labors to use… More
  My very first Merchant/Ivory film, A Room with a View has been this foreboding slot in my to do list for the past three years. The reasons I didn't want to see it are probably the same that some people use to dislike it: it's schmaltzy, none too original, and labors to use all these romantic clichés to drive the point home. What I think these people lack is an ability to be wrapped up in the lurid charm of this cute little tale of two people who are both strong willed and challenge the ideals of the times they live in. While Lucy (portrayed by an unrecognizable Helena Bonham Carter) passionately plays piano, bickers with her cousin Charlotte, and doesn't like being taken advantage of by any man, George (Julian Sands) is a fascinating oddity who works on impulse and yet never steps out of bounds with the outcome to hurt her. The start of the film is in Venice, then the English countryside. Most Merchant/Ivory films have lavish set designs, costumes, and tragic heroes. The sets and principal photography are entrancing. The actual view from the room with a view is justifiably gorgeous, and every shot of the film is impeccable. The editing and timing of each scene is quick, but not harried, which leads to some great scenes between the two leads. A large amount of the film is simply filler so the young ingénue can cripple her dandy of a fiancé (played by a very...indescribable Daniel Day-Lewis). Because that character is neither evil, nor unforgivably droll, the fact that they're together or apart doesn't matter. No one cares one way or the other whether she marries one or the other. The "affair" is two sets of kisses, both surprises, and instead of dealing with it solemnly, George runs away from her. The ending plays back into the title which came off pretty cutesy. Overall it was a decent film about two very strange people who show their affection in fairly crazed ways. That, and there is an entire scene of full frontal male nudity, in no way abbreviated for us females and our waspish sensibilities. It's quite torrid to say the least. Anyway, it's about love, and all the insecurities which keep us from being with the person who we deserve.

• Jennifer X

  
  This is one of those few movies that I can't describe WHY I liked it - somehow, unfathomably, I just did. The dialogue was not that great, the story was none-too-original, and the acting was just okay, but somehow all the elements fell together to make quite a charming little… More
  This is one of those few movies that I can't describe WHY I liked it - somehow, unfathomably, I just did. The dialogue was not that great, the story was none-too-original, and the acting was just okay, but somehow all the elements fell together to make quite a charming little movie. Not to mention that Helena Bonham Carter was a cutie in her day (and still is, as a matter of fact).

• Candy R

  
  A young woman meets an eccentric young man on a trip to Florence.

• Tom E

  
  The VERY best of the Merchant/Ivory period pieces -- I put it in regularly just for the delight!

• Byron B

  
  A Merchant/Ivory production based on a novel from earlier in E.M. Forster's career, the common themes of Forster's writings are clear. A young woman accompanied by an older woman in British society before either of the world wars, encounters something exotic and wants to… More
  A Merchant/Ivory production based on a novel from earlier in E.M. Forster's career, the common themes of Forster's writings are clear. A young woman accompanied by an older woman in British society before either of the world wars, encounters something exotic and wants to burst out of the stuffy tight collared restraint that polite society of the time required. In this case Florence Italy is the hot-blooded location where the British characters vacation. The young woman meets a young man who discovers the bohemian code in the Italian countryside. She is wisked away home to an arranged engagement with a very unpleasant man who does not appreciate life. The main difference between the young men is that one KNOWS how to kiss, the other does NOT. Again because the young woman has been taught not to give in to impulses she tries for awhile to avoid the feelings that unleash her. It is the slowly paced style of these type of productions that bore some audiences. Ironically this tight lipped proper culture is what the main characters rebel against, and what audiences who do not like it or do not see it rebel against too. I LOVE Forster's themes but was bored by this one more than A Passage to India.

• Dannielle A

  
  This movie was mostly boring but there were moments that swept me away... mostly the scenes and flashbacks that wisked me away into a fantasy of romance. This movie has got maybe one of the best kissing scenes ever. I had to leave the room during a good chunk of it in which my husband… More
  This movie was mostly boring but there were moments that swept me away... mostly the scenes and flashbacks that wisked me away into a fantasy of romance. This movie has got maybe one of the best kissing scenes ever. I had to leave the room during a good chunk of it in which my husband informed me "Lots of penis, don't come in the room yet.... nope, lots and lots of penis still...." I really like the accents in this movie and the innocense and charm of Miss Lucy Honeychurch. I thought her Cecil was rather a cute dorky nerd with social awkwardness and polite manners. I sort of liked him but also thought she needed a more dashing, dangerous and essentric fellow like George Emerson.

• Alec B

  
  Its basically just a series of juxtaposing moments (the stiff British customs versus the free spirited Emerson family) but its wonderfully acted and its hard not to fall for its sweet, innocent central characters. Also Daniel Day-Lewis is hysterical in his small role, it makes me want… More
  Its basically just a series of juxtaposing moments (the stiff British customs versus the free spirited Emerson family) but its wonderfully acted and its hard not to fall for its sweet, innocent central characters. Also Daniel Day-Lewis is hysterical in his small role, it makes me want to see him do more comedic performances.

• Daisy M

  
  A Room With A View' has class.The Italian and English locations are stunning and the costumes are intriguing. The cinematography is delightful and the score, especially the piano pieces, are marvelous. The cast is superb as it includes a very young Helena Bonham Carter, Julian… More
  A Room With A View' has class.The Italian and English locations are stunning and the costumes are intriguing. The cinematography is delightful and the score, especially the piano pieces, are marvelous. The cast is superb as it includes a very young Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sands, Judi Dench,Daniel Day-Lewis, Maggie Smith,Denholm Elliot, an eccentric Simon Callow and a wild Rupert Graves. To sum it up, 'A Room With A View' is a delightfully beautiful little film.

• Sunil J

  
  Wasn't so much into this movie but I did like it.

• Sarah B

  
  Has dated a hell of a lot, but still effortlessly creates a period setting, interesting characters and a very sensual atmosphere. Helena Bonham Carter is the heart and soul of the film, while still remaining repressed and innocent. If you see her as the queen of goth, then see this… More
  Has dated a hell of a lot, but still effortlessly creates a period setting, interesting characters and a very sensual atmosphere. Helena Bonham Carter is the heart and soul of the film, while still remaining repressed and innocent. If you see her as the queen of goth, then see this just to have your ideas blown apart.

• Lea L

  
  Good movie..

• Dimitris S

  
  It surpasses the book and not only that,the freedom and liberality of this picture is breathtaking to the core,rising the sensual adrenaline where it needs to be risen.The other half is an introspective of social dualities.Bonham Carter,Maggie Smith,Sands,Elliott,too many… More
  It surpasses the book and not only that,the freedom and liberality of this picture is breathtaking to the core,rising the sensual adrenaline where it needs to be risen.The other half is an introspective of social dualities.Bonham Carter,Maggie Smith,Sands,Elliott,too many performers,the best from Ivory-Merchant collaborations.

• Leo L

  
  WAN'S FAVORTIE MOVIE! HEY WAN, REMEMBER THIS!

Read all 14 featured audience ratings