Rating: 
Summary: Exemplary, simply exemplary
Review: With each passing year, my appreciation for Anthony Hopkins grows and grows, and Remains of the Day is one of his finest performances ever. Paired with the simply wonderful Emma Thompson in this era-spanning classic, the film succeeds grandly on many levels. Above all, perhaps, Remains is an examination of the great divide between the master class and the servant class in British society, this in the context of the affairs of state of prewar and postwar England, being conducted on the private "amateur" level.If you don't care for costume dramas, this film may not be for you, but I found it fascinating, even if it's flashbacks are a bit confusing at first. Whatever role he plays, whether it be billionaire or CEO or butler, Hopkins' roles always place him in some plum obsessive/compulsive spot in the social order, and as a butler he is blind to all but the allegiances to which he is expected to conform. Remains of the Day explores these blind spots deliciously, the ignorance of the outside world Stevens imposes on himself out of duty. Richard Robbins Glass-esque score was fresh and hypnotic, transporting us into the lush greenery and richly cloistered environment of the old house. The relationship between Hopkins as Stevens and his Butler-father also struck a very rich chord with me. This is a film worth watching again and again....Merchant Ivory's best film...one might even say, "exemplary".
Rating:
Summary: Still resonates in this day and age.
Review: I saw REMAINS in its first theatrical release and again today on DVD when we are having this Trans-Atlantic spat between the U.S. and the Europeans and it's surprising how much this movie resonates today, both personally and politically. I love the movie more now because I'm older and able to connect with the two protagonists who cannot express emotion. I loved the many extra features on this DVD except for the full-length commentary by Merhant/Ivory/Thompson. If it wasn't for Emma Thompson this commentary would have been the most dreadful one I've heard on DVD. Ivory has very little to contribute and Merchant is only content to mutter "hmm hmm" and "absolutely". By the way, what is "snog" (Emma uses it a couple of times)? I did some cursory research on Google and still don't know what it means. It seems to be somewhere between kissing and going all the way but I'm not sure.
Rating:
Summary: Unfulfilled Dreams and Unspoken Desires
Review: "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." - Stevens Stevens is a butler in the employment of the misguided English Aristocrat, Lord Darlington (James Fox) before World War II. Lord Darlington seems to have an interest in Germany's success due to a conversation he once had with a friend. He feels his honor has been compromised and seems to be unwillingly contributing to evil with good intentions. Stevens serves him with a blind devotion, never questioning his employer's thoughts or even trying to pay attention to the conversations he has with influential politicians. The story begins with Mr. Stevens seeking to undo a mistake from his past, yet I'm not sure he ever really evolves into a fully functioning human being even after he tries to remedy what he ignored. He seems lost as an individual and feels more at home in the position of service. He has captured the essence of service at the expense of his heart and soul. He seems to come to a realization of missed opportunities to influence history in a positive way. He focuses more on daily life and life outside his home environment is foreign to him. Perhaps he feels he is not in a position to change the outside world and focuses on controlling his own small territory. How many of us really have the power to change the course of history? As Mr. Stevens drives to find Miss Kenton, the story unfolds in letters and memories. We see a professional relationship that suffers from a lack of naked honesty and repressed emotions. In one scene/memory, Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson as the head housekeeper) could not have made her wishes any more clear in a moment when she begs Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) to show her the book he is reading. Perhaps her frustration at not being able to "read" his thoughts causes her to take action in a physical manner as she tries to force Stevens to give her the book. What a spectacular moment in this movie where Stevens has the chance to break from his repression and plant a delicious kiss on Miss Kenton's lips. And there he stands letting her take the book and devouring her with his eyes. As if he is locked within himself in a cage of protection. It is one of the most heartbreaking emotional moments I've ever seen on screen. The chemistry between Kenton and Stevens is at times like a calm intensity surging to the surface of a lake, but held back by a sheet of ice. A rich tapestry of emotions with a distinct warning: "Pay attention to your life and to your world or you may have to live in the world you didn't create." Strange really, because a lot of the time we are warned about the world we do create. In this movie, Stevens seems to withdraw from the decision making process altogether and while this lack of making his own decisions for happiness still "creates" his life, we get the sense that he is not really in control of his own destiny because he has negated his responsibility to himself and by trying to escape pain, he has denied himself pleasure. Intense and frustrating for the characters, yet enjoyable to analyze and view.
Rating:
Summary: Understanding the English: Regret and repressed emotions
Review: Stevens the Butler (Anthony Hopkins)is master of Darlington Hall in Oxfordshire and of his own emotions ... until Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) arrives to be the housekeeper. Although there is no overt sexual tension, they grow to love one another. In best British style, the emotions are suppressed for decades. Kazuo Ishiguro, a Brit with Japanese ancestory, acutely observed the British psyche in the novel. But Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's script for Merchant-Ivory is a rare case where the movie is better than the underlying book. She uses the technique of the epistolary novel (telling a story by letters between two people) and the carefully nuanced voice-overs by Hopkins and Thompson move the complex plot right along. If you can only picture "Sir Tony" as Hannibal Lecter, you'll be convinced that he is a great actor by this performance in which he ages several decades. Emma Thompson responds with heavily banked fires. When Hopkins begins a speech, "I must say this, because we may never meet again," you'll feel the tears running down your cheeks. This is a movie to watch time and again.
Rating:
Summary: Subtle and Lovely
Review: This is not a fast-paced, action-packed, Hollywood kind of movie. It's more akin to reading a book than watching a film. That is not to say that this is at all dull or boring. Remains of the day is a lovely, and even tragic at times, movie about love and the more sweeping themes of life and death, among the reserved and proper English class of housemaids, butlers,and the multitudes of servants employed by large country houses in the early half of the 20th Century. The story revolves around Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson as the heads of their respective sexes in the household and the deep affection they have for one another, but that Hopkins cannot exhibit. Thomspon's character is outgoing and a bit too modern for Hopkin's somber and traditional disposition. The story tells of their meeting, and then follows an older Hopkins as he remembers his younger days and Thompson, as he travels to see her one last time.
Rating:
Summary: More tense than the car chase in The French Connection
Review: While we were watching this beautifully acted film,a fellow in front of us yelled out"KISS HER!!!"during a particularly gut-wrenching scene.The story line inspires such emotion,and Hopkins and Thompson are so exquisite in their roles,I understood the frustration felt by the movie-goer in front of us. There are two particular scenes with just the two of them that are almost hard to watch,as they are so raw in emotion..But if you are up to a different kind love story with unusual twists and turns,then this marvelous movie is for you.Hopkins is especially effective,and I feel he should have won the Best Actor award.
Rating:
Summary: Author¿s View Changes The Film
Review: "The Remains Of The Day", is my favorite film that has been created by Merchant and Ivory. This team has an extraordinary resume of films, so choosing amongst them is not easy, but for me this is their finest. Two thoughts about the DVD content; the content included an interview with Christopher Reeve that was done after his tragic riding accident. Commenting about a film when he was in his prime as an actor and in full health must have contained painful moments. His interview was a model of style and class, and I continue to be amazed by this man's continued refusal to be hampered by the results of his accident. The author of the book also provided a new view on what it was he meant to convey in his book. For some people it may be congruous with what they experienced when they viewed the film, but I had never taken quite so completely bleak a view. Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Christopher Reeve, James Fox, and a young, pre, "Four Weddings And A Funeral" Hugh Grant, all give wonderful performances. The film is beautiful to view, and the soundtrack demonstrates throughout why it was awarded so many honors including an Oscar. There has been comment that this wide screen presentation clips off the top and bottom of the film frame. I don't question what another has said, I can only state that I saw no such missing visual real estate, and saw quite clearly the moments he pointed out with the exception of one I do not remember. The decade leading up to the Second World War will be studied very far in to the future. This film deals with those who sought to appease Germany; in fact many historical quotes are used in the film's dialogue. The argument could be made that looking back on that time that hindsight allows for easy condemnation, I don't agree. This film covers events up to England's, and specifically Chamberlain's, complicity in handing over Czechoslovakia. Lord Darlington represents an entire group of appeasers that history has documented and justifiably condemned. The behavior of these people was incredible in its negligence they had no excuse. It is against this history that the main characters evolve, and the focus is upon Hopkins as Mr. Stevens. His is absolutely and unconditionally devoted to his employer, and there is no line that he is asked to cross in the film that he does not willingly traverse. Regardless of what momentary thoughts he may have had, they would barely qualify as his own, for this was more automaton than man, And this is where the tragedy of the film lies, either on a wide scale with Lord Darlington and their men's club of arrogant, incompetent public school boys, or on an individual level with Stevens. The film is beautiful and powerful, much as a play by Shakespeare, and when tragedy strikes, it is on the same mammoth scale.
Rating:
Summary: What Might Have Been....
Review: I remember seeing this film and it was, at first, tough to get into (admittedly, I hadn't read the book beforehand). After I saw it a couple of times it became better for me. Anthony Hopkins is wonderful as Stevens, the butler. He's "all business and no emotion" and you can see that he found life easier that way. Enter Miss Kenton. Immediately, Stevens is drawn to her but refuses to acknowledge it. It is apparent onscreen that the romantic feelings are mutual, but neither acknowledge it...though it is all in the eye contact. My favorite scene is in the study where Stevens is reading a romance book and Miss Kenton tries to see exactly what's in it. Stevens just stares at her with amusement and adoration, making the viewer melt just watching them. Hopkins and Thompson have excellent chemistry in this movie. This movie is a must for all Hopkins & Thompson fans!
Rating: 
Summary: A great movie, but read the book first
Review: Watching this movie, you experience the beautiful scenery of the English mansion and the countryside where the story is set. However, you miss out on all of the thoughts that go through the main character's mind. In the movie, he comes across as more cold and callous than he does in the book, because the book is written from his point of view, so you understand why he acts the way he does. There is a tradition and a philosophy behind his stiff upper lip, one that is dying out as he writes the book and is a relic of pre-war London classism. I highly recommend the book, as it is one of the best I have ever read, especially if you are interested in English culture. I recommend the movie only after you have read the book so it does not influence the way you imagine the settings in the story.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece - a film to get lost in.
Review: Hopefully Anthony Hopkins looks back on this film as his best work, His acting is faultless. There is one scene in this film that captures the mood and emotion of the whole story and sums it up in one expression. The scene appears at the end of the film when Mr Stevens (Hopkins) and Miss Kenton (Thompson) sit on a bench in the early evening when the pier lights come on. As Miss Kenton talks about why people applaud this event, Mr Stevens looks away, you can see in his expression and the tears in his eyes the realization he has that his life has passed him by and its now just too late. His whole life summued up in an instant. The ending is perfect, because it is real. This emotion could apply to many of our lives and that is the beauty of the film, it makes you think of what might have been. Who has no regrets?
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