Displaying items by tag: James Ivory

MERCHANT/IVORY

UK, 2023, 110 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Stephen Soucy.

Many filmgoers will have very happy memories of the names Merchant/Ivory. There will be going back to A Room with a View, Howard’s End, Remains of the Day and other films produced by Ismail Merchant and directed by James ivory. But, the company had a 40 year history, initially filming in India, then in the US and, in their heyday, in Britain.

The great advantage is throughout the film, the interview with James Ivory himself as he moves towards his mid--90s, as well as footage over the decades.

Film buffs will especially appreciate this documentary as it opens with a survey of the team’s achievements, introducing quite a number of actors from their films who contribute anecdotes as well as insights, especially Helena Bonham Carter, Vanessa Redgrave, Rupert Graves, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Greta Scacchi, Simon Callow, James Fox, James Wilby, Samuel West, Madhur Jaffrey… There are quite a number of members of the company, producers, editors, costume and set designers… who all are given quite a significant amount of time for their commentary.

The film is designed in chapters after this overview prologue, a portrait of James ivory himself, American, gay, meticulous filmmaker long career and an Oscar in 2018 for Best Adapted Screenplay for Call Me by your Name. Later there is a portrait of Indian Ismail Merchant, family background, education in the US, producer extraordinaire with more than a touch of the conman and bluff especially for raising money, partner with Ivory, personal partnership for 40 years. In fact, there is also a chapter on Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, German born novelist, long resident in India and England, Booker Prize winner, writer of so many of the Merchant Ivory screenplays.

The audiences may not have seen the films that Merchant/Ivory made in the 1970s and 1980s in India, Householder, Shakespeare Wallah, but they will find this chapter unexpected and interesting.

And, there is also a chapter on sexual orientation issues, the partnership of James ivory and Ismail Merchant, their resident composer, Richard Robbins, ivory explaining his experience of his homosexuality, the contrast with reticence in India for Merchant, and, especially, their 1987 film, Maurice, from E.M.  Forster’s novel published only after the novelist’s death) but bringing the orientation issues to a wider public, the reputation enhanced by the success two years earlier with A Room with a View.

A great deal of attention is given to the two adaptations from Forster novels, A Room with a View and Howard’s End. An opportunity for audiences to relive their experiences of watching these films. And, significant attention to one of their greatest achievements, Remains of the cab day.

Attention is given to some of the adaptations of novels by Henry James, especially The Bostonians. And the regrets that after Remains of the Day, the films did not have the same impact but, as is suggested, they are well worth seeing in the retrospect of the careers of Merchant/Ivory.

For audiences interested in cinema, for admirers of Merchant/Ivory, two hours well spent.

JEFFERSON IN PARIS

US/France, 1995, 139 minutes, Colour.

Nick Nolte, Greta Scacchi, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Simon Callow, Seth Gilliam, James Earl Jones, Michel Lonsdale, Nancy Marchand, Thandiwe Newton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lambert Wilson.

Directed by James Ivory.

Merchant-Ivory have moved from E.M. Foster country and period, A Room with a View, Howard’s End as well is their great success previous to this film, Remains of the Day to Paris in the late 1780s with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson during his period as American ambassador - which included the French Revolution. 

Sets, decor, costumes and photography are meticulous and will exhilarate many audiences.  Many reviewers express the wish that plot, drama and conflict and acting matched the texture of the film.  Nick Nolte does his best as Jefferson, but his character does not engage interest and sympathy.

There is a strong supporting cast led by Greta Scacchi.  However, they are often given rather arch dialogue, aping an 18th century English style which makes it sound a touch `precious' and pretentious.  (Some would mean that one commentator referred to “prigs in wigs”). However, for those interested in the period, it offers perspectives on the Revolution and how it affected the man who was to become president.  Strong period setting - less strong drama.

1. The reputation of the Merchant/Ivory films, literary adaptations, period, meticulous attention to detail, costumes and decor?
2. Audience knowledge of Jefferson, in the revolution, founding father, relationship with Washington, sent as US Minister to France? Audience knowledge of this pre-Revolution French history?
3. The focus of Jefferson, Nick Nolte’s presence and performance? In the War of Independence, his home and household, wife, daughters, widower though not to remarry? Sent to France, his response to 18^th century pre--Revolution France, culture?
4. The setting pre-Revolution, Versailles, costumes and décor, the court, corruption?
5. The range of locations: The Hotel de Laungeac, Lafayettes, Versailles, the Panthemont Abbey, Dr Mesmer's, The Opera, The Palais Royale, Pike County, Ohio?
6. The episode with Dr Mesmer?
7. Jefferson himself, his age, widower, diplomatic skills, his interest in the arts, sciences, dismay at the poverty of France?
8. The portrayal of Jefferson as a person, his marriage and devotion to his wife, not to remarry, his relationship with his daughters, with Polley, with Patsy? The encounter with Maria Cosway, her marriage, her husband, artist, musician, the relationship, her devotion to him, strengthening the relationship? The hostility of his daughters? And his vow not to remarry?
9. The character of Sally Hemmings, a relationship, his wife’s heart sister, the family background, the slavery, mixed-race families? James Hemmings, Sally’s brother, studying to be a chef in Paris, the intention for his return to Monticello? The break with Maria Cosway?
10. Washington, the invitation for Secretary of State, his decision to return? Sally and her pregnancy? Not wanting to return, James not wanting to return? Jefferson, his oath and commitment to their freedom?
11. The film as a different perspective on the founding fathers, on the US at the period, the Constitution, Bill of Rights, issues of slavery and freedom, the status of the United States abroad?