E.M. Forster's A Room with a View on Masterpiece Sunday Night

I recall with such fondness the Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith adaptation of A Room with a View. I think that movie poster was in every other room in my dorm freshman year. It's been a long time since that film and tomorrow night Masterpiece will air a new adaptation of E.M. Forster's classic novel about a young woman's awakening in Italy. Read a bio of Forster here, watch a preview here and see Andrew Davies discuss this film's new ending based on a Forster postscript here. For book clubs (like mine actually) looking to add a classic to the mix, A Room with a View would be a terrific choice.

Comments

[Kiki]

My all time favorite book-and I love the Merchant Ivory Production of this movie--beautiful soundtrack, incredible acting, gorgeous scenery. I am very curious about this new film--I know the other by heart, and have a hard time even imagining an "improved" version. I'll definitely be weighing in on this one!

[Lisa]

Thanks for the heads-up on this one. I would have missed it otherwise. I just wanted to thank you -- I received the Picoult book in the mail this week. Also, I have moved my blog (formerly PfeifferBooknotes) to Booknotes by Lisa at http://booknotesbylisa.blogspot.com if you want to update your blogroll. I just got everything changed over and have been painting all week, so there aren't any new posts as of yet. But, I start on my new job tomorrow, and I'll get back into a routine soon.

[Kiki]

Just finished watching the "new" version of ARWAV--and I can honestly say, it pales in comparison to the Merchant Ivory Production. No gorgeous soundtrack, and right off at the start, the dialog was completely veering off course from Forsters' novel ("a courtyard of cats"?????). The idea that young Emerson is killed on a WW1 battlefield is so not in the spirit of the original novel! The novel was published in 1908, at least 5 years before the start of WW1! The unlikely reunion of Lucy and the original Phatheon! Ugh!

This actress was pretty, but had nothing of the brooding. moody beauty of the very young Helena Bonham Carter--Charlotte was more faithful to the novel in some respects, but not as fleshed out--and she couldn't hold a candle to Maggie Smith! Cecil was creepy, and Danle Day Lewis has immortalized that role in the first film. And the "new" young George--well, who can compare to the perfect characterization of Julian Sands' George!?
This movie lacked the comedy and innocence of the original--Simon Callow was amusing and funny--but not leering as was the "new" Mr. Beebe. I'm not sure what to say! My 12yo wanted me to tape it (she's seen the MI prod. several times), but quite frankly, I don't know if I could sit through it again! How contrived it seemed compared to the genius of the MI film!

As you can tell, I am a big fan of this novel--I practically know it by heart! It is pretty much, my favorite book of all times! As is the MI prod,. of the movie (my favorite film).

I will check out Lisa's blog as well!

[Book Club Girl]

Thanks Lisa -- I updated you on the blog roll. And Kiki, I couldnt' agree with your review more, the movie lacked in many places. Reading your review does make me want to re-read the book however!

[Jenne]

I saw it Sunday and I have to say - although it was filmed very beautifully, it was a bit of a yawn for me. I'm glad to see that other people are recommending a different version. I have not seen any other version of it so I will have to check it out - thanks for the tip y'all :)

[Kiki]

The one I would consider the "original" version is much more engaging, funny and also has a killer opera soundtrack! Juts the fact that it is a Merchant and Ivory production is enough to recommend it to anyone. They were the creme de la creme of period movies for a long time, if you ask me, and their work still holds up.

[Arti]

I've just discovered your site when I was browsing through blogs discussing the PBS airing of the 2007 ARWAV. In my review of this adaptation, I started off by saying: "It'll probably take another Merchant Ivory production to best an earlier version." This one simply can't compare. Also, this time, Andrew Davis may be letting his imagination run too wild that he just got carried away.

You have a very interesting and informative site here...have added you to my Favorites!

---Arti of Ripple Effects

[alexas]

saw the masterpiece version last night and thought this is not the story I remember, glad to see that confirmed, why totally change the atmosphere and premise, if you will, of Forster's book. a real mistake and galling license it seems to me.

[cricketeer]

Oh, I much preferred the new A Room With A View.

I've never quite believed that Daniel Day-Lewis' Cecil could possibly tempt Lucy away from George as portrayed by Julian Sand. The casting of those two men makes her indecision seem so silly -- who wouldn't jump at the chance to run off with hunky and handsome George. Why even think about spending any time with the fey priggish Cecil?

But the new version -- while less romantic than the Merchant Ivory version -- does seem more true to Forster's novel. Lucy's love for George is suppose to be scandalous and alarming, it is suppose to deny convention and fly in the face of the English class system. This Cecil is handsome and charming (if not snobby) but Rafe Spall's George is a low class clerk with few prospects and no panache.

Yes, the new one won't prove fodder for the fancies of young school girls, but I think it would have amused Forster.