The Remains of the Day (PG-13, 1993)
NETFLIX SYNOPSIS: Dutiful butler Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) is the epitome of dedication as he tends to the house of his master, Lord Darlington (James Fox). Head housekeeper Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) tries to coax Stevens out of his staid shell, but it’s only later in life — when Stevens realizes what his silent response to his master’s Nazi sympathies has cost him — that he seeks her out. This Merchant-Ivory period drama was nominated for eight Oscars.
REVIEW: Anthony Hopkins is brilliant and never breaks character in this film, he is steadfast to a fault. I enjoyed Thompson as well but at times it was hard to understand her, could be just me though. It was also hard to see Christopher Reeves looking so young and vibrant, funny I never realized just how much I miss him making movies. The premise is quite simple, a man is dedicated to his job at the expense of his personal feelings. I was THRILLED with the ending, they could have go the traditional mainstream, something most movies aren’t willing to risk. I did have an issue with the jumping back and forth in time, got a bit confusing since you didn’t have any reference until a few minutes into the scene, though I guess the outfits should have given it away in retrospect.4 Stars
Bear
