Gabriel Byrne Movie:

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		MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present, the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War II. Reunited with the filmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master, Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany, Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war, and, most effectively, his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression, but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master, Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties, although his is an emotional deprivation, possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. There's so much going on in this film, and yet the action is skillfully depicted through understanding and knowing glances, through emotions expressed only through eye contact. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations, this film is sumptuous to look at, capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Excellent in supporting roles are Christopher Reeve, Ben Chaplin, and Hugh Grant. --N.F. Mendoza

The Remains of the Day [Region 2] Reviews:
This remains one of my favorite films of all time...
2009-12-02 - You can pretty much copy and paste my review for `Howards End' here and call it a day since my feelings for both films is pretty much identical. Both films possess this air of elegance that just engulfs every scene and creates this strength and profound character. I may prefer this film `slightly' but really, both films are just utterly brilliant, and effortlessly so. I think that is what is so spellbinding about these two movies, they are effortless. There is no sign of overreaching or forced gracefulness. Every single frame floats by with a restrained tension that just uplifts the entire film and delivers a beautiful piece of art to our eyes and ears, and most importantly, our hearts.

Consider this film perfection.

The story told here is of a butler and housekeeper in England as World War II is looming over the shoulders of everyone around. The film is basically a brooding study of human loyalties and the longing for a feeling of accomplishment. Stevens, the butler, is a man filled with repressed emotions because of his determination to do his job perfectly. He restricts himself, making many sacrifices in order to hold onto the feeling of control and pride. It's not a selfish or a detrimental pride (at least not detrimental in the usual sense) but a pride that comes from being able to say you have done something to the best of your ability. His relationship with the headstrong and rather liberal Miss Kenton tests his viewpoint and his methods.

Draped in luscious scenery and woven tightly into a profound and provocative storyline, `The Remains of the Day' will remain in your soul.

It lingers.

The film is propelled marvelously by the two leads, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Hopkins in particular is just brilliant here, showcasing his characters inner emotional frustration as he makes himself the proper representation of loyal service. It's a gargantuan on a performance, a pure tour-de-force that had no business losing the Oscar to Tom Hanks' hammy gimmick in `Philadelphia'. In fact, if it wasn't for Russell Crowe delivering one of the most fearlessly committed performances I've ever seen in `Romper Stomper', I'd give Hopkins my personal award for this. Thompson matches him with so much heart, warmth and spirit. I struggle with category placement with her (she totally supports him, but she needs no support herself) but either way, she is sublime.

They really NEED to do another movie together!

If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing this (or the splendid `Howards End') I highly, HIGHLY recommend you seek them out this instant. They are beautiful films that match their internal composition with richly organic performances and sumptuous scenery that just begs to be seen and worshiped.

These are better than modern masterpieces, they are modern miracles!

it does not get better than this
2009-11-21 - this justifiably lauded trio of writer RUTH PRAWER JHABVALA , director JAMES IVORY and producer ISMAIL MERCHANT were a remarkable collabrative team . others here have done an extremely good job of explaining this magnificent film and its' many insights , observations and meaning . the gifted ensemble of actors does the equally remarkable feat of breathing life into this outstanding material . nothing left to do but add my vote and direct you to "HOWARD'S END" for more of the same . brilliant and stunning as great literature .

Really worth buying...
2009-11-04 - If you haven't seen "Remains of the Day" for some time then this is one film that's most definitely worth buying on DVD. What comes across is just how superb the acting is - almost too good to believe in its effectiveness and, above all, its absolutely controlled "subtlety" - and, of course, it's a deeply thought provoking and moving story that gets better the more times you view it. Brilliant in every respect and quite rightly ranked as a "classic" it will, unlike many DVDs you may own, just beg to be seen again and again... it's that good.

Outstanding!
2009-09-20 - Remains of the Day is a exquisitely enlightening film of love and hate. It abounds in subtle, muted, deep emotions.

Both Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, a repressed English Butler, and Emma Thompson, Miss Kenton, his spirited housekeeper, do outstanding acting performances. The film is set in the 1930's - just before World War II, on a big English Estate, with many servants. Lord Darlington (James Fox) is the Estate Owner, who has attached himself to the Nazi cause. Stevens is his loyal, unwavering Butler who micro-manages, as well as lives to be a slave to his Lord Darlington. Mr Stevens noted, "A man cannot call himself work contented, until he has done all he can, to be of service to his employer." Mr. Stevens anticipates every need and task. The estate runs flawlessly.

When hiring Miss Kenton as head housekeeper, Stevens emphasizes that he wants no "romantic interests" as it detracts from the service to the well-run estate. He will not stand for that in her or her underlings. She agrees. Despite this, a deep unrequited love, respect and bond develop between her and Stevens. He hires his failing and aging father at the same time. Miss Kenton notes the deterioration of his father over a bit of time and makes Stevens face the facts to avoid any future embarrassment. There is a moment his father falls - and starts to fail rapidly. There is an important political meeting at the estate, so Stevens must oversee. His father is dying upstairs. Miss Kenton attends to his father, and gives him the news his father passed away. She asks if he would like her to shut his eyes, until Stevens can leave his duties to see his father for the last time. She does and takes care of details.

Hugh Grant and Christopher Reeve are also in this movie as voices hoping to open the eyes of Lord Darlington. They want him to see his mistake in being loyal to the Nazis and the risks and problems involved. Stevens does not get involved, his allegiance is to the smooth running of the household. He sees nor hears anything - nor does he repeat anything that would convey disloyalty to his employer.

At one point he has a chance to leave the box he is in. Miss Kenton gives him the opportunity to profess his feelings, but he is unwavering in his duty to the service of the estate. Stevens makes his decision to stay and keep his life as it is, even though he loves her. She leaves and marries another man.

Time passes and they reunite for a few hours. The poignant ending shows deep unfulfilled love. So heartbreaking.


Hopkins and Thompson : An Unbeatable Pair!!!
2009-08-16 - The Remains of the Day is in my view one of the best films of my lifetime. Anthony Hopkins gives, in my view his best performance (and that's really saying something!). His portrayl of Stevens, the butler of Darlington Hall is just perfect. Of course Emma Thompson's character Miss. Kenton, the unwedded and very available housekeeper make Remains a very interesting watch. The film is really about lost oppertunity, and unfortunately we find that some oppertunities, for love in this case, are truely lost...forever.

The story takes place in 1936,7, and 8 England. Lord darlington, played perfectly by renound british actor James Fox, is part of the group of Englishmen who want to appease Hitler in order to stay out of war. In one scene we see the good lord entertaining PM Nevelle Chamberlin, the head of the appeasement crowd. Darlington also entertains the German ambassator and others to show their support for the new "peaceful" Germany. At one point, there is a international conferance where the reps of the other european countries pledge their support of german rearmiment. The only one there who sees thru the german's smiles and pleasentries is congressman Lewis, played by Christopher Reed. His line"...some prices are too high to pay..." concerning Germany's requests is great.

All the while there is the interaction between Hopkins and Thompson. She practically throws herself at him (in a very suttle English way), and he's too formal and tied up with his work as the butler to take any action in regards to Thompson. There's even a point where she tells him that she is marrying another man and asks for an early release from her job. Here we see Stevens holding back his sorrow as he congratulates Miss. Kenton on her engagement. The viewer knows Stevens wants to tell her he loves her, but he restrains himself and walks away. The viewer also knows that it would take just one word from Stevens and Miss Kenton would run into his arms. Frustrating.
The years go by, Darlington dies a sad, lonely death, and Mr. Lewis buys Darlington Hall and keeps Stevens on as the head butler. We also see Stevens going to the 'west country' to see Miss Kenton (now Mrs. Benn) in answer to a letter he received from her regarding her failed marriage and wanting to return to service. When they meet again Stevens finds that things have changed . Mrs. Benn's daughter is expecting and she wants to stay near her and the baby, dashing any hopes Stevens might have had about her returning to Darlington Hall with him.
The afternoon is spent with lunch and a stroll thru the town to the boardwalk along the bay. Here they just talk as friends about their lives and it's disappointments without ever revieling their love for one another. Their parting scene is a tear jerker. It takes place is a downpour, (which I just love), at a bus stop very late in the evening. She thanks him for coming up and seeing her. He turns to her and tells her that they may never meet again, and that she should make these remaining years happy ones for her and her daughter. He also apologizes for his 'forwardness' in his remarks. She smiles and shakes her head 'yes'. The bus comes and he walks her to it. They shake hands as she mounts the open doored bus and she says that it was so nice to see him again. As the bus pulls away their hands part. The camera focuses on this hand shake and we see that Stevens has kept his hand extended after the bus has separated them forever. He tips his hat and tells a crying Emma Thompson 'goodbye'. We see Thompson continuing to look towards Hopkins thru the dark, and still crying as the bus rounds the bend. Hopkins returns to his car and just stares into the night. We know at this point he truely realizes his terrible loss.....and we feel for him. Truely tragic......as in real life.
Hopkins returns to Darlington hall and lives out the remainder of his life there. Do they ever meet again? I think not. That would be too fairy tale. The oppertunity was lost and it was lost forever. This film forces us to examine ourselves and perhaps take the steps NOW so we don't follow Steven's path.
A superb film in every way. Buy it. You won't regret it.