Adam continues his residency at the TCM Film Festival 2018 with another full roster of eclectic films, and James Ivory discussing how he almost made a Tom Cruise film. Sleep and hydration. Wherever…
BY A.W. KAUTZER
Maurice
Next was a film that I had not seen in about two decades ago. To further compound issues it was on early era Bravo (when they used to be an art house/independent film channel) in a heavily edited version. So, we can count this one as a fresh viewing.
Before they screened the film James Ivory sat down with Ben Mankiewicz for a great 30-minute discussion about the film and more. Ivory, a recent Academy Award winner for Call Me By Your Name, at 89 years was a delightfully spry and witty interview. One of the juiciest tidbits was the before Maurice, Ivory almost made a film with Tom Cruise about treasure hunters, going as far as to have a script commissioned by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (Remains of the Day). Other interesting bits were that Ivory is wanting to direct a big budget version of Richard II, and his second sole written screenplay is about to go into production with Alexander Payne directing. It was a fascinating conversation, which is more the case than usual with the TCM Q&A’s.
Maurice fits perfectly in the Merchant/Ivory productions of the 1980’s and 1990’s dealing with society and repression. Maurice (James Wilby) and his life are no different than Henry Wilcox from Howard’s End or James Stevens from Remains of the Day. Moving in society because of what is dictated to them and their sense of society’s rules and boundaries. Part of this films breakthrough is how Ivory has created a film that is at points very specific and other times is universal. The director working from a wonderfully modulated script by Jhabval has created an empathetic portrait of a fully realized homosexual man with wants, needs, pressures, love, and sexuality. Its honest portrayal of sexuality is much more explicit than anything in Call Me By Your Name. The film never feels salacious but truly heartfelt and passionate. One wants nothing more than for Maurice to be happy and find what he so desperately wants, love. Wilby as Maurice is a revelation. If this film had been released this year Wilby would surely be up for Marvel movies, or whatever big budget productions you will have. Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves show up as Maurice’s respective paramours. Graves is electric as the younger more forward thinking and thirsty Alec Scudder. Grant shows some true chops beyond his normal stammering giving life to Clive, the repressed first love. Denholm Elliot, Ben Kingsley, Simon Callow all show up and do exemplary supporting work.
Cohen Media has actually done a 4K restoration for Maurice’s 30th anniversary. The film looks nothing short of stunning. As is the norm with Cohen Media there is sure to be a limited theatrical run, followed by a Blu-Ray and DVD release. Do not sit on this one if you have not seen, Maurice is worth your attention.