84 Charing Cross Road

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Toby G This touching story, based on the letters between writer Helene Hanff and bookseller Frank Doel, is a polite, easy-going film that shows Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft at their best. Hopkins plays the role in his typical understated fashion, a manner which is perfectly appropriate for the character's generation and British sensibilities. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Steve D I wish they gave the talent involved something to do. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/02/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm a huge bibliophile who has spent many happy hours in the sadly much depleted second hand book scene of Charring Cross Road. That said, I don't see the point in this movie beyond strangely underwhelming sentimentality. It's just showing correspondence between a few people across the Atlantic and that is literally it. It's not emotional, exciting, interesting. It's a nothing film. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Ken R This film offers a superb screenplay adaptation of the play by James Roose-Evans, about a long-term real-life letter writing friendship between a NY Jewish writer & passionate book collector - with the manager and staff of an English second-hand specialist bookstore. Sounds bland and to action addicts, it will be - but to literary lovers and those who cherish stories dealing with strong human bonds, this could become a true favorite. It's a labor of love for the striking Anne Bancroft (as was "The Elephant Man" ‘80) whose husband bought the film rights to this book for her birthday. Anne is simply magnificent as the title character Helene Hanff, deserving all the praise and awards she received. Anthony Hopkins and Judy Dench give excellent support as Frank and Nora Doel, the bookstore manager, and his wife. Several fine British character actors give convincing life to the store's various staff, with all eventually corresponding between the enigmatic Helene. With food rations in place following the war – food parcels are also added to these much welcome exchanges. Direction, cinematography, locations, set design; all contribute to a deliberately paced, but richly rewarding movie experience. Certainly not for all tastes, and not to be watched when tired or wanting overt action but, should offer pure joy for sophisticated audiences and those with a love of classic books. And, of course, the luminous Ann Bancroft. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/02/21 Full Review Audience Member this is you've got mail but with letters & literature fans (oh wait, that was in you've got mail too lol oops), also we get to see what the heck judi dench looks like with long hair so I'm happy Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review s r Good premise, just not a delivery that I enjoyed. Saw it on TCM. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

84 Charing Cross Road

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