A Room With a View

Released Mar 7, 1986

1h 55m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this British drama based on the novel by E.M. Forster, Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter), a young Englishwoman, is touring Italy with her older cousin (Maggie Smith). At a hotel in Florence, Lucy meets the charming and free-spirited George Emerson (Julian Sands). Although intrigued by George, once she's back in England Lucy ponders settling down with the wealthy, staid Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis). When George reappears in her life, Lucy must decide between him and Cecil.

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Critics Consensus

The hard edges of E.M. Foster novel maybe sanded off, but what we get with A Room with a View is an eminently entertaining comedy with an intellectual approach to love.

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Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

The performances -- particularly by Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter and Denholm Elliot -- are superbly wrought in this tale of conflicting cultures, embattled sexes and changing values.

Jul 30, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Adapted by Merchant Ivory from EM Forster’s novel, this is a lush wallow in nostalgic romanticism.

Dec 19, 2023

Full Review

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

The simple story is embroidered with delightful dialogue and rare characterizations.

Rated: 9/10

Nov 2, 2021

Full Review

Dan Webster

Spokesman-Review (Washington)

The beauty of the Italian and English countrysides, the acting of Maggie Smith and Denholm Elliott and the immediacy of a particularly brutal killing all combine to make this one of the most visually affecting films you'll see all year.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 27, 2024

Full Review

Hal Lipper

Tampa Bay Times

A Room With a View is an outstanding period piece. It captures Forster's characters in their milieu with a temperament that effectively stirs modern-day sensitivities.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 3, 2021

Full Review

Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Episode 11: Moving On

Rated: 60/100

Sep 1, 2021

Full Review

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Holly K

Sheer perfection. The most phenomenal acting from start to finish. Beautiful cinematography and production design. Breath-taking music. If only films were made to this inspiring standard today, as a rule. It is a masterclass in every way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

Full Review

Lucas J

I mean, c'mon.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

John H

A great period piece about love vs duty and lying to everyone including yourself

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Nadine H

Just the best. I have seen it with great pleasure many times.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/24

Full Review

Ali N

Now this is a movie! Tired of superheroes? Tired of CGI? Tired of movies lacking plots or stories or real characters or just plain ole keeping your interest long enough to watch the whole damn thing? Well, look no further than 1985 and the romantic film, A Room with a View. It's got Helena Bonham-Carter. It's got Daniel Day-Lewis. It's got a sexy Judi Dench wearing a tie (oh my!). It's got romance. It's got star-crossed lovers. It's got Italy. It's got England. It's got tennis playing on real grass. It's got men running around a small pond stark naked with their penises flapping about and everything! And it was produced and directed by a real-life gay couple. What more could you ask for?? Why can't Hollywood make movies like this again? Oh yeah, because this is a European film, so Hollywood never made movies like this in the first place. Guess it's time for me to truck on over to Europe to get me some quality storytelling. Hollywood is too busy selling me men in tights. I'm a lesbian, so I prefer women to be in tights instead.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/23

Full Review

Steve M

Interesting story line about finding your soul mate in staid old England. Lots of stars and soon to be stars in this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

Full Review

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James Ivory

Director

Helena Bonham Carter

Lucy Honeychurch

Maggie Smith

Charlotte Bartlett, a chaperon

Julian Sands

George Emerson

Denholm Elliott

Mr. Emerson, an English tourist

Daniel Day-Lewis

Cecil Vyse

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Synopsis

In this British drama based on the novel by E.M. Forster, Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter), a young Englishwoman, is touring Italy with her older cousin (Maggie Smith). At a hotel in Florence, Lucy meets the charming and free-spirited George Emerson (Julian Sands). Although intrigued by George, once she's back in England Lucy ponders settling down with the wealthy, staid Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis). When George reappears in her life, Lucy must decide between him and Cecil.

Director: James Ivory
Producer: Ismail Merchant
Screenwriter: E.M. Forster, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Goldcrest Films International, Merchant Ivory Productions, National Film Finance Corporation
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 7, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.0M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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