The Remains of the Day poster & wallpaper

Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, James Fox

This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present, the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War II. Reunited with the f...( read more  read more... )ilmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master, Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany, Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war, and, most effectively, his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression, but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master, Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties, although his is an emotional deprivation, possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. There's so much going on in this film, and yet the action is skillfully depicted through understanding and knowing glances, through emotions expressed only through eye contact. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations, this film is sumptuous to look at, capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Excellent in supporting roles are Christopher Reeve, Ben Chaplin, and Hugh Grant. --N.F. Mendoza

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87% liked it

18,248 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

38 critics

PG, 2 hrs. 10 min.

Directed by: James Ivory

Release Date: November 5, 1993

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DVD Release Date: November 6, 2001

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Stats: 1,034 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,034)

  • Gx7
    November 20, 2008
    Gx7
    "A man cannot call himself work contented, until he has done all he can, to be of service to his employer." ~Mr. Stevens

    Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins reunite in this movie after Howards End. Mr. Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) is a butler and an institution by himself at Darlingt...( read more)on Hall. See how he goes by his life day by day amist whats going on inside the Manor, and get to know the other characters perspective of the dear ol' butler.

    I thought this was a powerful, thought provoking film. Theres too much "essence" in this film that Ill just have to decline in even trying to tackle the things in it.

    I think this movie is quite close to home for some of those people that serve their life as a house help and for those who do have the knowledge and priviledge of what its like to have highly devoted and excelent help. This movie reminds me of my beloved nanny Leizel.

    *Yeah ok its not a proper review - cant be arsed to write anything properly these days. I still say go ahead and watch it, then tell me what you thought of it.
  • thmtsang
    June 14, 2008
    thmtsang
    Movie about an English country home just prior to World War II and it's occupants. Great cast.
  • Deano78
    June 24, 2007
    Deano78
    A very slow, rather boring period drama. Where not a lot happens in a country house in the period leading up to the war.
  • ceWEBrity
    June 23, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    Flawless performances by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson amidst a plot that is both personal and political. This is an important movie if ever there was one.

    The broken narrative is not the directorial choice I would have made, but it doesn't really have much of an effect on t...( read more)he rest of the movie. Powerful, turbulent and effective, Remains of the Day is an A-class drama.
  • lavenderfawn
    March 14, 2007
    lavenderfawn
    The most BORING movie ever made! AAAHHHHHHHH
  • ahmedkharbotly
    November 20, 2009
    ahmedkharbotly
    Lets show those gentlemen that here in England order and tradition still prevail.
    Anthony Hopkins.. you are the best.
  • moonrivers
    November 2, 2009
    moonrivers
    i've seen this before...but having just finished the book itself for the first time, sumptuous in it's love for the much harried of late English language, i can't wait to see it again...
  • fluturash
    October 10, 2009
    fluturash
    great movie. great book to adapt.
  • ElCochran90
    September 18, 2009
    ElCochran90
    The film is very complex, but tends occasionally to be very elegant and mature for the topic that is being treated. A wonderful cast (f$ck Hugh Grant) add an extra nice taste for this exquisite and modest little gem.

    72/100
  • xcalibr377
    September 2, 2009
    xcalibr377
    Freedom vs. a Cage. Very moving.

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Critic Reviews

May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

What do you call filmmakers who make literary entertainment box office in the age of Beavis and Butt-bead? Try miracle workers. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A subtle, thoughtful movie. full review

View more The Remains of the Day reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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The Remains of the Day Trivia

  • Which movie was NOT inspired by Akira Kurosawa's 'The Seven Samurai.'  Answer »
  • Which Merchant Ivory film adorns a lunchbox owned by Corky St. Clair at the end of Waiting for Guffman?  Answer »
  • The Remains Of The Day is based on a novel by which Japanese writer?  Answer »
  • I starred opposite Emma Thompson in both 'Howard's End' and 'Remains of the Day'... who am I?  Answer »
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