Rating: 
Summary: Didn't Quite Live Up to My Expectation....
Review: I've only recently read the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro and love it so much that I quickly got hold of the video. However, in my personal opinion, the movie didn't quite do full justice to the brilliant novel it's based on.Of course, with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson at the helm of "The Remains of the Day", we can be assured that the acting is nothing short of par-excellence. So far, I've not come across any unfavourable reviews of the movie, so it does feel strange to think that I may be the only viewer who's NOT gushing over how great the film is. The story is set in 1930s and 1950s England and focuses on the life of a traditional English butler, Mr Stevens, who serves the great house of Darlington Hall and of his unwavering loyalty to his employers and of his relationship with the housekeeper, Miss Kenton. One day in the 1950s (which is "present-day"), he finally decides to take a short vacation by borrowing his employer's motorcar for some sight-seeing of the country and to convince Miss Kenton (who has since married and is now Mrs Benn) to come back to work for Darlington Hall. During the journey, Mr Stevens reminisces about the good ol' days back in the '30s when he is serving Lord Darlington, a distinguished English gentleman whose good intentions with regard to post-WWII Germany backfires when he is later branded as a "Nazi sympathizer". While reading the novel, I did wonder how well the story will transfer on film, because the novel focuses a lot on Stevens' thoughts and feelings which he doesn't show outwardly and so couldn't be projected on film, no matter how good the actor is. In the movie, there is also no voice-over to convey his actual thoughts and emotions. So what we get is Anthony Hopkins' butler who displays a very limited range of emotions throughout the movie - 1) Thoughtful (although we can't tell what he's actually thinking about), 2) Courteous (to his employers and the guests), 3) Curt (to Miss Kenton) and 4) Cold (90% of the time) - without a clear explanation. If you've not read the novel, I doubt you'll fully understand the nature of Stevens' character and the reasons for his apparent "coldness" and strange behaviour e.g. NOT bothering to console Miss Kenton when she is crying so desperately right in front of him, and why he decides to lie (to the people he meets during his car journey) about not being acquainted with Lord Darlington. My second complaint is this: in the novel, Stevens' "present-day" employer is a Mr Farraday, a nice American gentleman. But in the movie, the employer has been changed to "Mr Lewis" (played by Christopher Reeves). The problem is that the same "Mr Lewis" also happens to be the "villain" (in both novel and movie) who in the '30s tries to sabotage Lord Darlington's efforts to reconcile Germany with the rest of Europe after WWII. It is difficult to believe that Stevens (who so dislikes Mr Lewis) could end up serving him LATER on after Lord Darlington passes away. But the most dissapointing part of the film is the omission of what I deem the most important scene in the book: when towards the end, Stevens and Miss Kenton meet up again after over 20 long years and Miss Kenton confesses that the reason she is unhappy with her marriage is because she often wonders what kind of a life she might have had with him (Mr Stevens). And in the book, Stevens' heart is breaking when he hears that. It's a most moving scene - practically a declaration of love between the two, for goodness sake, and yet this scene is omitted in the movie. Watch the movie if you can. But do read the novel which is one of the most brilliant writings to come out of the 20th century. The words used are simply beautiful, eloquent and breathtaking. The book is most remarkable, but I really can't say the same for the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Heartbreaking...
Review: With brilliant actors, a truly genius director and breathtaking scenery, "Remains of the Day" does not disappoint. A wonderful, if not so very sad story shines in this movie and is not butchered by this piece. But with all the sadness in the storyline, the movie is able to entertain you without leaving you reaching for Prozac. Understated and dark, one of the biggest surprises was not the deep feeling of the piece, but the sparkling gems of humor dispersed in the film. This movie made me laugh out loud, but more often it made me cry at the bitterness of this story's message. In this bittersweet love story, Hopkins flawlessly portrays a butler who is so out of touch with life that he lets the love of his life slip through his fingers. His performance was so breathtaking, as was Thompson's performance. I recommend this movie to any admirer of either actor, or of the director's flawless and (often depressing) style and genius. If you do not want to see a real think-piece that will made you cry at its sheer beauty and devastating truth, don't bother with "Remains of the Day." But if you enjoy dark pieces full of artistic merit look into this film, which is genuinely worthy of being in the same class as "Howard's End" and "Wings of the Dove."
Rating:
Summary: This movie is the coolest
Review: Anthony Hopkins is really great in this movie and it was really good. You should really see this movie because its really good and I really liked it.
Rating:
Summary: The best Merchant-Ivory film
Review: Many people feel Howard's End was the best Merchant-Ivory film to date, but my vote goes to this film, with Maurice as a close second. There's more to chew on here than in Howard's End, it's also more "epic" in scope. At the same time, the film puts its main characters under a microscope, studying them with an intimacy rarely found in films. Big things happen in this story, but the little things that happen hold even more emotional impact. That's the sign of a great film.
Rating:
Summary: Cool Moive
Review: This movie was really great and Anthony Hopkins is really great in it and I really enjoyed this moive even if i am only 14.
Rating:
Summary: Hurry up and get this out on DVD!!!
Review: Considering the enormous amount of garbage available on DVD, it surprises me that the studios/distributors who own films like this impecable work of art haven't released it on everybody's favorite format. What is taking so long for movies like The Remains of the Day, The Leopard, Fellini's Casanova, The Queen of Spades (with Edith Evans), Kind Hearts and Coronets, Saraband for Dead Lovers, Doctor Zhivago, Cries and Whispers, Anne of the Thousand Days, Senso, Ugetsu, Sansho the Bailiff, Chikamatsu Monogatari, the Russian version of War and Peace, Persona, Rules of the Game, Citizen Kane, Sunrise, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, Mephisto, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion --which I don't think has even been released on VHS, The Conformist, Death in Venice, Variety, Metropolis (Moroder version), The Elephant Man, Cavalcade, The Innocents...i.e., the most beautiful films ever made...to come out on DVD? Open your eyes marketing and distribution people, because I'm getting the impression somebody out there doesn't know what they're doing. Okay, so I digressed. The Remains of the Day is a must have on DVD as are all of the other films I've mentioned if you want to consider yourself someone who KNOWS and appreciates quality cinema. Lord, set these and other great movies free from the bondage of studio vaults!!!
Rating:
Summary: Romance, reality, rhetoric, and racism
Review: When women talk to me about romance they usually mention a bunch of fantasy based bunk (in lieu of a more vulgar description). What I would like to ask them is whether or not they have seen Remains of the Day. This fine film is a beautiful yet tragic love story. Unrequited love to the max. What makes it particulary tragic is that a love so deeply felt by both parties had no legitimate reason to be denied. The scene in Mr. Stevens' study where Miss Kenton inquiries about the book that Mr. Stevens is reading is... in my mind incredibly romantic. Beautifully acted and flawlessly filmed especially in the way that the camera starts out at a distance and ever so slowly becomes a close up. At the core of this film is how adherence to tradition and certain principles although oft times admirable can certainly have tragic consequences. A film of the highest order. Not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A Simply Great Film! Perhaps the Best!
Review: Our duty is to be a "wife" or a "husband". Not to commit adultery or complain about our spouse. Our duty is to love our work. No matter what the station. And to serve our employer with great and complete devotion. Our duty is to love our country. And not to tear down our leaders. This disloyalty and subdued "hatred" is what causes our "degraded age". People hate their spouses, their country, their leaders, their employers. The end result is that everybody hates everybody. Jim Stevens, brillantly played by Anthony Hopkins, is a great man. This is his philosophy. And his greatness shines throughout the movie. Please do not be disturbed by the forward flashes and back flashes between 1936 and about 1958. They will happen frequently. The butler, Anthony Hopkins, serves Lord Halifax. Lord Halifax is the owner of Darlington Hall. Ms. Kent, portrayed by Emma Thompson, is the housekeeper. Now here is where you come in. How far will you serve your employer, your country, your station - before you say "no". Lord Halifax is a wonderful and great man. But because a friend of his comitted suicide after the World War I treaty with Germany, he is very strongly and emotionally intent on keeping peace with Germany. Being a political leader, he is intent on keeping peace with Germany at all costs. He has a conference where a Congressman Lewis attends. Lewis is beautifully portrayed by Christopher Reeves. Lewis represents the new "individualistism" in the world. Where it is okay for anyone to dissent and speak their minds. Which way is better, I will let you decide. Stevens is so loyal to his position that he finally realizes, or senses in some capacity, that something may have gone wrong. I don't want to write anymore because it may destroy this incredible movie for you. But you must address two issues. Is it right to be loyal to one's family, friends, employer, country - regardless of circumstances? Or should you dissent when something is terribly wrong? Thank you and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Remains of the Days Explores Issues of Elitism vs. Democracy
Review: The very talented and versatile Anthony Hopkins is wonderfully cast as the English butler, Mister Stevens. It is Steven's eager existential duty to serve the master of the estate, Lord Darlington (James Fox), with unhesitating loyalty and meticulous dedication. Class distinctions have usually been more important to our British cousins. This is a major reason why the American colonies revolted against the "mad" King George. Most living in Great Britain some 60 years ago considered their social status at birth as inescapable. Once a servant, always a servant. A Mister Stevens or the head housekeeper (played aptly by Emma Thompson) would likely have looked askance at anyone suggesting they try to improve their lot in life. Such hopes bordered on being perceived as unnatural, if not traitorous. Lord Darlington is an elitist who is easily seduced into embracing the Nazis as England's partners to usher in a new age of mutual prosperity and fellowship. The film suggests that Lord Darlington meant well, but was perhaps innocent and over his head concerning the true designs of the Nazis. This irritated me to no end. I am convinced that most of these wealthy and powerful individuals were more than a little receptive toward the anti-Semitic underpinnings of Nazi ideology. They gratefully welcomed a philosophy advocating racial superiority. Comradeship with committed Nazis also reinforced the self image of the Lord Darlingtons as the homo sapiens most deserving to be the leaders of their respective political and cultural institutions. A pecking order exists in nature, and the gods of the universe have positioned them at the very top rung of the evolutionary ladder. There is one very powerful scene that demands our rapt attention. Master Stevens is serving drinks to Lord Darlington and a few of his Nazi guests when one of the latter begins to insult the dutiful butler. The condescending guest asks Master Stevens questions about particularly difficult political issues of the moment. Stevens concedes that his lack of education prevents him from fully understanding these matters. The man then sarcastically concludes that Master Stevens is a quintessential reason why democracy is doomed to fail. Only the elites have any business being involved in politics, he adds. The guest rejects the very premise of democracy that declares ordinary and modestly educated people along with the elites are more than capable of forming a workable political system. Moreover, we hold that the basic commonsense of the hoi polloi often balances out the sometimes ethereal unrealistic speculations of the elites. The ordinary person is not an idiot to be marginalized, but may have much to add. Is such a system perfect? No, but as Winston Churchill once said, its still the best system devised in human history. Elitist governments, on the other, inherently tend to be tyrannical and unjust. This is a gorgeous film to view. Much care was given in making "Remains of the Day" as authentic looking as possible. The dedication and commitment of those who made this movie possible is to be commended. These artists had to love this project because it's most probable they took a huge cut in pay. The film is unfortunately also timeless. "Remains of the Day" will be forevermore relevant. The at least metaphorical reality of Original Sin is alive and well on planet earth, and some people will always want to look down on their fellow citizens. "Remains of the Day" will provide you with much to think about.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best acted movies of all time
Review: Anthony Hopkins IS Stevens! Emma Thompson IS Miss Kenton. The feel of Ishiguro's novel is supremely recreated in this one of a kind picture. Despite the emotional detachment of the lead character the movie is absolutely involving, moving, and unforgettable. I watch it all the time.
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