Somewhat frustrating, oh-so-literate character piece that takes the self-repression of the servant class to its nth degree. The social negotiations, and battle of wills are the more interesting parts of this movie. But its central storyline of Hopkins stunted emotional life is so hopelessly obvious that one waits in vain for a complication of any sort. Nothing more has been said when the credits roll, than when we first observed his characters issue. I don't need a happy ending or momentous developments, but please leave me an inch or two ahead of where the story began. 'Being There' covers a similarly stunted character much more thoughtfully. Uncomfortably, the image of a preternaturally calm Hopkins standing inches from an occasionally irksome Emma Thompson, makes viewers anxious about Lector-like face chomping. Christopher Reeve who never did much with any role, again does very little with his role. The cinematography is the standard "tastefulness equals art" Merchant Ivory deal.
Review of The Remains of the Day
