Maurice (1987)

90% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(6,596 ratings)

Director James Ivory brings his subdued, "Masterpiece Theater" style to a forbidden subject -- homosexual love. Maurice is based on E.M. Forster's suppressed 1914 novel that was held back from publication until after his death. The film takes place at Cambridge, before World War I, when… More Director James Ivory brings his subdued, "Masterpiece Theater" style to a forbidden subject -- homosexual love. Maurice is based on E.M. Forster's suppressed 1914 novel that was held back from publication until after his death. The film takes place at Cambridge, before World War I, when homosexuality was outlawed in Great Britain. Clive (Hugh Grant), an aristocratic Englishman with a life of privilege, suddenly shocks his close friend Maurice (James Wilby) by declaring his love for him. Maurice is initially stunned by the pronouncement, but in the end finds himself giving Clive a passionate kiss and telling him that he loves him as well. Clive, in the stiff-upper-lip British manner, considers their love to be more of an intellectual concept, but Maurice becomes passionate about the affair. Clive, afraid of being exposed as a homosexual, backs off and breaks up with Maurice for marriage, family, and politics. Maurice is crestfallen, but then he has a passionate affair with Clive's gamekeeper, Scudder (Rupert Graves), and Maurice and Scudder decide to risk their reputations by openly living together as lovers. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: James Ivory
Genres: Drama, Romance, Gay & Lesbian

In Theaters: Sep 1, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Feb 24, 2004
Studio: Lorimar Home Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A beautifully photographed film with top-drawer performances from a fine cast.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
ultimately it keeps us engaged and reasonably entertained
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Probably Merchant-Ivory's best film.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tom E

This is a Gay 101 movie -- Everyone should see -- The love was real, and it is a true story --

Cast

            James Wilby as Maurice Hall

            Hugh Grant as Clive Durham

            Rupert Graves as Alec Scudder

            Denholm Elliott as Dr. Barry

            Simon Callow as Mr. Ducie

            Billie Whitelaw as Mrs. Hall

            Ben Kingsley as Lasker-Jones

            Judy Parfitt as Mrs. Durham

            Phoebe Nicholls as Anne Durham

            Mark Tandy as Risley

            Helena Michell as Ada Hall

            Kitty Aldridge as Kitty Hall

            Patrick Godfrey as Simcox

            Michael Jenn as Archie

            Barry Foster as Dean Cornwalis

            Peter Eyre as Mr. Borenius

            Catherine Rabett as Pippa Durham

            Orlando Wells as Young Maurice

            Helena Bonham Carter as BonhamYoung Lady at Cricket Match

            Maria Britneva as Mrs. Sheepshanks

            Philip Fox as Dr. Jowitt

            Breffni McKenna as Breffni/Guardsman

            Mark Payton as Chapman

            Mathew Sim as Fetherstonhaugh

            Andrew St. Clair as Undergraduate

            Rick Warner as Judge

            Chris Hunter as Fred Scudder

            John Elmes as Hill

            Alan Foss as Old Man at Train

            Olwen Griffiths as Mrs. Scudder

            Gerald McArthur as Undergraduate

            Miles Richarson as Undergraduate

            Philada Sewell as Matron

            Harriet Thorpe as Barmaid

            Julian Wadham as Hull

            Alan Whybrow as Mr. Scudder
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