Rating: 
Summary: A modern classic
Review: have long been a fan of Merchant/Ivory productions, perhaps the best known being 'A Room with a View' and 'Howards End'. However, there is a Merchant/Ivory production made in the same time and with the same qualities that often gets overlooked, and in so being, it is in keeping with its source.Merchant/Ivory have worked through the writings of E.M.Forster's novels with flair, style, and grand film-making, very much in keeping with the grand style of Forster's writing. However, the novel Maurice was not published in Forster's lifetime. He believed, even to his death in 1970, that is was a novel ahead of its time. Yet Forster completed it in 1914. Alas, it was due to the English (and more general) tendency to discount gay characters as being appropriate subjects for literature, particularly when they are sympathetic, almost romantic characters. In Forster's own handwriting, a note on the manuscript found after his death read 'Publishable, but worth it?' This is a basic tale of sexual awakening in post-Victorian England, showing the relationship and the contrast between Maurice Hall and Clive Durham. Both are undergraduates together, and through the course of very English educational encounters, discover in each other 'the love that dared not speak its name', a situation reinforced by all worldly standards. I heard it once remarked that one thing that makes so many people rankle at discussions of homosexuality is that many people rankle at frank discussions of ANY sexuality. This dictum would certainly be true of the turn-of-the-century British. In one scene, even the professor teaching Greek glosses over references in the translation that are unappetising to him. In the end, we see the relationship between Maurice and Clive run full course, and see the classic options: Clive runs in a panic into marriage and a respectable life with a wife who seems to think she is a keen judge of human nature, but really hasn't a clue on this one; Maurice opts for love true to his nature, but at what cost? Alas, we don't know. The manuscript was unfinished, and the film likewise comes to no firm conclusion. The film and novel are great representations of Edwardian London and country life, as well as university life at the time. The minor sociological issues that arise; the class system is illustrated in wonderful characters (from the Durham household, a country-gentry, but essentially untitled family, to the Halls, a suburban middle class, to Scutter and the servants at the Durham estate, some of whom are as scathing toward a middle-class pretender like Hall as any upper-class person would be). The film, like most Merchant/Ivory productions, is an almost perfect period piece -- settings, costumes, mannerism, it is almost as if camera and crew were magically transported back in time to get the proper setting. Maurice Hall is played by James Wilby, who turns up in other Merchant/Ivory productions such as Howards End, but who has thus far failed to make much of an American presence. Clive Durham is played, on the other hand, by Hugh Grant, who looks very much different and younger from the Hugh Grant who went up a hill and came down a mountain to attend four weddings and a funeral only to get stopped by the police for solicitation in Hollywood... Superb minor supporting performances by Simon Callow and Denhom Elliot, also Merchant/Ivory regulars, help round out the cast, as well as a cameo by Ben Kingsley as the Edwardian verison of a reparative therapist, trying to hypnotise homosexuality out of Maurice, suggesting that he swagger more and walk around with a gun to increase his feelings of masculinity; this doctor utters my favourite line in the film: 'The English have always been disinclined to accept human nature.' He then suggests that Maurice move to France or Italy, where such as he are in less jeopardy. A very interesting film all around, a bit slow moving at times, but in all a great piece of film-making from great film-makers. Oh, yes, it is pronounced 'Morris' (like the cat).
Rating:
Summary: An honest-to-goodness romantic movie for gays.
Review: E.M. Forster's novel "Maurice" and James Ivory's film version have both taken heavy criticism for their sentimentality and lack of realism. It's true the suggestion that Maurice (James Wilby) and Alec (Rupert Graves) will live happily ever after strains credulity, particularly considering that they live in Edwardian England in the shadow of Oscar Wilde's disgrace. But really, are Scarlett, Rhett, Ashley and Melanie any more believable, or any less purply drawn, than Maurice and Alec? Alec climbing into Maurice's bedroom window is every bit as thrilling for some audiences as Rhett sweeping Scarlett up the staircase is for others, and neither couple should be despised. Also, the performances of the very talented (and very straight) Wilby and Graves deserve all the praise they can get, as does that of Hugh Grant as a far more conflicted young gay man.
Rating:
Summary: FAVORITE MOVIE
Review: Maurice is my all time favorite film. I own a copy on VHS and one on Laser Disc, and I'm eagerly awaiting its release on DVD. As (what some may consider) a senior gay person, this film speaks directly to me; it reflects wonderfully the frustrations that I felt growing up in the '50's. Although the movie is set in the Victorian era, the 1950's were really not that different in its attitude towards gay people. The film captures so very well the longings of Maurice (as a gay man) for love, affection and some meaning to his life--the things that he felt everyone else was having but were denied to him because of his inner hidden longings.
The film is beautiful to view and the sound tract is gorgeous--typical Merchant and Ivory--but, most of all, each actor is completely believable in his role. A very young Hugh Grant (long before becoming famous)is very good as Maurice's first love interest wanting a pure platonic love with Maurice even though Maurice wanted the "real" thing. My true feeling about Grant's character is that he really did not have the guts to deal with the ramifications of his true feelings (watch how he plays with Maurice's emotions and affections--I would have punched him!). Jame Wilby, as Maurice, is outstanding; he expresses the hurt, torture and longings of "the love that dare not speak its name" very well. However, the true standout for me is Rupert Graves (one of my favorite actors) who plays Scudder--he certainly shows what ladders are made for!(you'll have to see the movie to know what I'm talking about) He plays a man that knows what he wants and goes after it no matter what the cost--he redirects his life and alters his life's dream for the possibility (not, at the time of his decision, guaranteed) of love. Maurce and Scudder's final scene together when they have decided that love, no matter what, can conquer all, is truly the thing that we all dream about. Their "togetherness" points out another strong theme in the movie--the British Class System--not only did they have the "gay thing" to deal with but also the "class thing" to overcome. (Due to the fact that Scudder is from what is deemed a lower class being the Gamekeeper, he is , at first, completely ignored by Maurice until Scudder climbs into Maurice's bed, by the means of a ladder, and shows him what it's all about!!)
I read E.M. Forster's book when it was finally released in the 1970's and I feel the film is faithful to the book and that Forster would have been pleased with the film. I don't know how many times I have viewed this movie (many, many, times), it, nevertheless, is a movie that reaffirms, over and over again,, my very existence.
I have found, through out the years that a lot of heterosexuals find the movie to be boring; however, I feel that if you are an average gay male, (especially of a certain age) you will find it reflective of your life (or, at least, a portion thereof)--I do!
Believe me, my life would have been a great deal poorer if the film Maurice had not been a part of it.
I know my review is from an older person's perspective; however, I do believe that a younger person would have an appreciation for the movie if nothing more than gaining some knowledge of what it was like, not so very long ago, to be gay. In fact, I think anyone, no matter what his age happens to be, could certainly enjoy this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Elegant film version of E.M. Forster's novel
Review: British author E.M. Forster wrote "Maurice" in 1914. It deals with his feelings about his own homosexuality and about the oppressive and repressive society he was a part of. Not surprisingly, the novel was not published until 1971. It may not be his greatest work, but it is his most personal. Merchant Ivory Productions' 1987 film version is a handsome, faithful adaptation. As is usually the case with their period movies, as well as with Forster's novels, the real focus is on the English class system. True, being gay was especially difficult in England a hundred years ago, but the class system made everything rougher for most people. Clive Durham [Ugh Grant] is the one who initiates the love affair between himself and Maurice Hall [James Wilbey], but it is Clive's aristocratic background that eventually leads him the break it off, lest his estate, his fortune and his peerage be threatened. This leaves the much more honest Maurice to deal with his loss alone, for there is absolutely no one to turn to in his sorrow. Clive, meanwhile, has dutifully married a woman he has no passion for. Not that he had much passion for Maurice either. Clive doesn't seem to like getting his hair messed up by either sex. Ironically, it is at Clive's country estate where Maurice meets the sexy, passionate gamekeeper, Alec Scudder [Rupert Graves]. But here again the class system presents a problem. Maurice may not be royalty, but he is solidly middle-class. Alec is definitely lower-class.
The cast is uniformly excellent. Wilby is utterly convincing as Maurice. This may the movie in which Grant played his first true cad. Graves isn't required to do much more than be pretty and seductive, and he does both of these very well. The supporting cast is quite strong and includes Ben Kingsley, Denholm Elliott, Simon Callow and Billie Whitelaw. The movie's ending befits a romantic drama. It's lovely and hopeful, but it also contradicts the class struggle theme. On the other hand, most of Forster's novels have a main character whose view of the world is shattered by someone beneath his or her station in life. Many viewers, including a lot of gays, will find the movie tame and a bit dull. Our view of homosexuality has changed so dramatically in a few short decades that "Maurice" will seem unfathomable to some. Others will see it for what it is - an elegant and quietly passionate love story from a time when such love was verboten.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Thing.
Review: A wonderful movie.You don't have to be gay to enjoy this film, but it helps. This post-Victorian era gay coming -of- age love story (whew!), is beautifully told and filmed, in the Merchant-Ivory tradition. James Wilby, and Hugh Grant, before he was Hugh Grant, are very touching as Maurice and Clive, as they discover "the love that dare not speak it's name". No matter your persuasion, you can't fail to be moved by their predicament in that repressed time where one could still be (and often was) jailed for homosexuality. As sometimes in real life, it is a heartbreakingly told story about the decisions sometimes forced upon us, and the ramifications and resignations of not being true to ones self, because of familial or social restrictions as to what is "normal" behavior. These charactars, especially Wilby's impeccably portrayed Maurice(pronounced "Morris"), are good, decent people, who are suffering because they cannot be who they simply are. Without giving away the ending, it is an ultimately up-lifting story about the extreme courage it sometimes takes , then as now, to be true to ones self, and, finding your dignity, in the face of a segment of society that often insists you deserve none. All of the actors, most of whom are unknown to general audiences, are wonderful, in that underplayed, classy English way, making the smallest part integral to the story. A beautiful adaptation of the E.M. Forster novel, and a wonderful love story, with various lessons for all.
Rating:
Summary: Great , beautiful, it has it all.
Review: I didn't like that the movie, in VHS I guess has allot of ads from other films of the same company, and I mean ALLOT. But well, I didn't know Pierce had made some wierd film when he was younger. Anyways, on to the story.
The acting was great, the places, the locations where it's filmed. It was perfect, everthing well done. And the story was great, very moving. The story will touch you some way. It makes you see the way that homesexuals were treated back then. What both Clive and Maurice had to go trough to hide there feelings, after realizing how strongly they feel about each other. How they fell in love, and how love is possible in all ways. Takes you to all the hard work that had to be done, then only to be beaten by society's views, when Clive, Hugh Grant, does the right thing, and marry a woman. Of course, after seeing the things they had to do to get there, the "right" way seems more like the loser way, the cowards way out. Now at first it seems a little ackward to see Maurice, James Wilby, find another relationship with Rupert Graves's character. It really throws you off, it seems unreal in this case, but then it starts to fit in. You really have to think about it. Well, it really makes you think after watching this movie, are we just with the opposite sex.... cus society said that's the right thing to do? In how many different ways is love possible if we didn't have to limit ourselves?
Rating:
Summary: Maurice
Review: Truly an enjoyable movie. This movie should be an inspiration to all persons (regardless) of orientation. I suspect that I will have to read the book, in order to find out the actual ending. The movie (though quite enjoyable) left me hanging, wondering if Maurice suffered any consequences for his life choice. Excellent performances, all around!
Rating:
Summary: One more perspective on "Maurice"
Review: Regarding the movie itself: I really can't add anything new which hasn't already been said about "Maurice" -- and I LOVE the movie! One thing to note: the soundtrack for this movie is absolutely gorgeous. The score transcends being "movie music" and can stand alone on its own right as a concert piece. Very seldom have I ever encountered a musical score which so very nearly matched the mood of the movie -- the ones which come to mind are "Gone With the Wind", Bernard Herrmann's scores for Alfred Hitchcock, and the movie "Cinema Paradiso." I'm music director for a church, and have used parts of the score as prelude and postlude music on Sunday mornings -- and the congregation loved it! This is a first-class movie with a top-notch musical score! (John Williams, take notice: one CAN write an effective musical score without trying to out-orchestrate Richard Strauss!)
Rating:
Summary: Forster would have approved!
Review: This is the one of the most faithful novel-to-film adaptations that I have seen. American director James Ivory has a wonderfully British sensibility, and the movie vividly recreates late Edwardian England in muted autumnal colours. In particular, it gives the 21st century viewer a very real appreciation of what it must have been like to be gay in such a society. The cast is uniformly excellent. James Wilby was not Ivory's first choice for the central role of upper-class Maurice (Daniel Day Lewis and Julian Sands were earlier contenders), but he gives an outstanding and totally plausible portrayal. Equally good is Hugh Grant, years before he found fame as the archetypal British twit. Grant's role is a difficult one; he must at first engage our sympathy and fondness, then gradually lose our respect as he seeks to enter "respectable" society. Ultimately, we come to despise his cowardice. Grant achieves all of this without descending into caricature - a considerable feat. Rupert Graves makes a fine Alex Scudder, the lusty undergamekeeper who seduces and transforms Maurice. Apart from a slightly inconsistent accent, he, too. seems entirely plausible and fans of DH Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover should note that this full-blooded lad pre-dates Lawrence's own gamekeeper by many years! An outstanding supporting cast of seasoned pros includes the late, great Denholm Elliot and Ben Kingsley in small, but pivotal roles as, respectively, a bullying doctor and a hypnotist, both of whom Maurice unsuccessfully seeks help from. This movie has a superb period atmosphere, a leisurely but rewarding pace, plenty of understated passion, memorable music and great script-writing. Kudos to the scenarists for being so faithful to the spirit of Forster, while at the same time adding scenes to remind viewers of the real dangers for gay men in Edwardian England. Outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: An Instant Classic!
Review: Merchant Ivory has been ridiculed in recent years for its "costume dramas," not because they are bad, but because they are so complete. The ridicule has mostly been targeted at them through critics of Helena Bonham Carter, who is arguably the first lady of Merchant Ivory type films. With that arbitrary preamble out of the way, let's get to Maurice. In the early 1980's most films of a controversial nature were little independent films long on good intentions but short on creative ability or writing. Maurice was very different: it was based on a classic (and once banned) novel by a famous author, and it was created lovingly and painstakingly by the Acadamy Award winning production company of Merchant Ivory. A story about two college men in love with each other in Edwardian England is the basic premise for the movie. However, the turmoil that usually accompanies such homosexual relationships today is compounded because of the time in which this story is set. Class differences, ambition, secrecy, false marriages, and deceit are the undercurrents which drive this film to its moving and emotionally satisfying (if rather unbelievable) conclusion.... Unrealistic ending aside, this is a beautiful film. The scenery and the period detail is typical Merchant Ivory - in other words - impeccable! The script is right on. The acting - superb. This is the film that really began Hugh Grant's screen career. In fact, this is a big budget Hollywood film masquerading as a small arthouse film (or is it the other way round). Regardless, rent this film and see if you don't agree. Wonderful!
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