A bored lawyer and a suffragette vie for the attention of a faith healer’s charismatic daughter.
I don’t know what I need to do for you all to watch The Bostonians (James Ivory, 1984) but please do yourself a favor and watch it. It’s too terrible when certain films are forgotten, and left to obscurity.
I feel the anguish and despair portrayed brilliantly by Vanessa Redgrave in Olive Chancellor’s character is enough a reason to watch the film but there’s other things to like too.
For one, the drama, is so compelling like. Henry James is a special one, it’s based on his novel (which at some point i’d need to get myself a copy of). Characterization and conflict go hand in hand and in here it’s done in the most polished way ever, couldn’t be any better. The performances by Christopher Reeve and Madeleine Potter are on point, supported by Jessica Tandy and Linda Hunt.
Cinematography by Walter Lassally. Some of the shots in this film are exquisite, and I don’t mean just the color, or depth of field, you feel the intimate atmosphere throughout, the performances part of it too, of course.
Script written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, out of the Henry James novels she adapted I’d say this one is the best one. The changes made from the novel make sense and enhance even more the conflict.
In my head it reminds me of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex although it is not as tragic as his novels.
It’s a great film, made for debate. Been reading lots of academic articles finding new insight on it and it just blows my mind, everytime. I cannot not share it you know. If anyone needs a link, i’ll be happy to provide one.