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Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Denholm Elliott, Julian Sands, Daniel Day-Lewis ... see more see more... , Simon Callow , Judi Dench , Rosemary Leach , Rupert Graves , Patrick Godfrey , Fabia Drake , Joan Henley , Maria Britneva , Amanda Walker , Peter Cellier , Mia Fothergill , Patricia Lawrence , Mirio Guidelli , Freddy Korner , Elizabeth Marangoni , Lucca Rossi , Isabella Celani , Luigi di Fiore , Kitty Aldridge , Matyelok Gibbs

Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by E.M. Forster, A Room with a View is a shining example of Merchant-Ivory's ability to achieve maximum quality and opulence at minimum cost. Set during ... read more read more...the Edwardian Era, the film stars Helena Bonham Carter as Lucy Honeychurch, who like all proper young British ladies is compelled to tour Europe in the company of an older chaperone -- in this instance, her spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith). While in Italy, the ladies make the acquaintance of a wide variety of personalities; the most fascinating of their fellow tourists -- at least in Lucy's eyes -- is free-spirited George Emerson (Julian Sands). Aware that her cousin is becoming too familiar with Emerson, Charlotte demands that Lucy return to England posthaste. Lucy complacently settles for the tiresomely traditional courtship of nerdish Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis) -- and then Mr. Emerson moves into the neighborhood. Lucy now finds herself on the horns of a dilemma: Should she opt for a safe, proper marriage to Cecil, or the bohemian unpredictability of the charismatic Emerson? A winner of three Academy Awards, A Room with a View is not what one could call fast-moving, but fans of the Merchant-Ivory team will enjoy luxuriating in the film's leisurely pace and stimulating cast of characters. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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22,499 ratings

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100% liked it

22 critics

PG, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: James Ivory

Release Date: December 1, 1985

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DVD Release Date: July 4, 2000

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Stats: 1,449 reviews

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A Room with a View Daniel Day-Lewis in A Room with a View Denholm Elliott in A Room with a View Denholm Elliott in A Room with a View Denholm Elliott in A Room with a View Maggie Smith & Helena Bonham Carter in A Room with a View Maggie Smith in A Room with a View Julian Sands in A Room with a View Julian Sands in A Room with a View Maggie Smith in A Room with a View Maggie Smith in A Room with a View Maggie Smith in A Room with a View Maggie Smith in A Room with a View Simon Callow in A Room with a View A Room With a View Julian Sands in A Room with a View Daniel Day-Lewis in A Room with a View Judi Dench & Maggie Smith in A Room with a View
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Flixster Reviews (1,449)

  • itsjustme2004
    February 7, 2012
    itsjustme2004
    Nice movie. Not my favorite of this genre, but satisfying. A little slow.
  • FrizzDrop
    December 19, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    My very first Merchant/Ivory film, A Room with a View has been this foreboding slot in my to do list for the past three years. The reasons I didn't want to see it are probably the same that some people use to dislike it: it's schmaltzy, none too original, and labors to use all th... read moreese romantic clichés to drive the point home. What I think these people lack is an ability to be wrapped up in the lurid charm of this cute little tale of two people who are both strong willed and challenge the ideals of the times they live in. While Lucy (portrayed by an unrecognizable Helena Bonham Carter) passionately plays piano, bickers with her cousin Charlotte, and doesn't like being taken advantage of by any man, George (Julian Sands) is a fascinating oddity who works on impulse and yet never steps out of bounds with the outcome to hurt her. The start of the film is in Venice, then the English countryside. Most Merchant/Ivory films have lavish set designs, costumes, and tragic heroes. The sets and principal photography are entrancing. The actual view from the room with a view is justifiably gorgeous, and every shot of the film is impeccable. The editing and timing of each scene is quick, but not harried, which leads to some great scenes between the two leads. A large amount of the film is simply filler so the young ingénue can cripple her dandy of a fiancé (played by a very...indescribable Daniel Day-Lewis). Because that character is neither evil, nor unforgivably droll, the fact that they're together or apart doesn't matter. No one cares one way or the other whether she marries one or the other. The "affair" is two sets of kisses, both surprises, and instead of dealing with it solemnly, George runs away from her. The ending plays back into the title which came off pretty cutesy. Overall it was a decent film about two very strange people who show their affection in fairly crazed ways. That, and there is an entire scene of full frontal male nudity, in no way abbreviated for us females and our waspish sensibilities. It's quite torrid to say the least. Anyway, it's about love, and all the insecurities which keep us from being with the person who we deserve.
  • jennifxu
    January 1, 2008
    jennifxu
    This is one of those few movies that I can't describe WHY I liked it - somehow, unfathomably, I just did. The dialogue was not that great, the story was none-too-original, and the acting was just okay, but somehow all the elements fell together to make quite a charming little mov... read moreie. Not to mention that Helena Bonham Carter was a cutie in her day (and still is, as a matter of fact).
  • thmtsang
    August 18, 2007
    thmtsang
    A young woman meets an eccentric young man on a trip to Florence.
  • sainttom93
    March 31, 2007
    sainttom93
    The VERY best of the Merchant/Ivory period pieces -- I put it in regularly just for the delight!
  • hypathio7
    July 15, 2008
    hypathio7
    A Merchant/Ivory production based on a novel from earlier in E.M. Forster's career, the common themes of Forster's writings are clear. A young woman accompanied by an older woman in British society before either of the world wars, encounters something exotic and wants to burst o... read moreut of the stuffy tight collared restraint that polite society of the time required. In this case Florence Italy is the hot-blooded location where the British characters vacation. The young woman meets a young man who discovers the bohemian code in the Italian countryside. She is wisked away home to an arranged engagement with a very unpleasant man who does not appreciate life. The main difference between the young men is that one KNOWS how to kiss, the other does NOT. Again because the young woman has been taught not to give in to impulses she tries for awhile to avoid the feelings that unleash her. It is the slowly paced style of these type of productions that bore some audiences. Ironically this tight lipped proper culture is what the main characters rebel against, and what audiences who do not like it or do not see it rebel against too. I LOVE Forster's themes but was bored by this one more than A Passage to India.
  • crazydannielle16
    September 21, 2010
    crazydannielle16
    This movie was mostly boring but there were moments that swept me away... mostly the scenes and flashbacks that wisked me away into a fantasy of romance. This movie has got maybe one of the best kissing scenes ever. I had to leave the room during a good chunk of it in which my hu... read moresband informed me "Lots of penis, don't come in the room yet.... nope, lots and lots of penis still...." I really like the accents in this movie and the innocense and charm of Miss Lucy Honeychurch. I thought her Cecil was rather a cute dorky nerd with social awkwardness and polite manners. I sort of liked him but also thought she needed a more dashing, dangerous and essentric fellow like George Emerson.
  • fb20312798
    November 13, 2011
    fb20312798
    Its basically just a series of juxtaposing moments (the stiff British customs versus the free spirited Emerson family) but its wonderfully acted and its hard not to fall for its sweet, innocent central characters. Also Daniel Day-Lewis is hysterical in his small role, it makes me... read more want to see him do more comedic performances.
  • mvieaddict
    May 16, 2009
    mvieaddict
    A Room With A View' has class.The Italian and English locations are stunning and the costumes are intriguing. The cinematography is delightful and the score, especially the piano pieces, are marvelous. The cast is superb as it includes a very young Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sa... read morends, Judi Dench,Daniel Day-Lewis, Maggie Smith,Denholm Elliot, an eccentric Simon Callow and a wild Rupert Graves. To sum it up, 'A Room With A View' is a delightfully beautiful little film.
  • SunilJawahir
    March 4, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    Wasn't so much into this movie but I did like it.

View All A Room With A View Reviews

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

A Room With a View is not only uncharacteristically benign for Forster, but also blithely, elegantly funny, which is a fit description of [this]first-rate film adaptation... Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is an intellectual film, but intellectual about emotions: It encourages us to think about how we feel, instead of simply acting on our feelings. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 21, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Glorious romance most likely to appeal to older kids. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 25, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Merchant Ivory's first artistic and commercial hit is a light, well-acted, nicely mounted comedy of manners based on Forster's classic novel; Daniel Day-Lewis steals all of his scenes Full Review

Jeffrey Overstreet
January 15, 2005
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer

James Ivory directs this gentle, poetic, comic film with grace and passion for its characters in this adaptation of the E.M. Forster novel.

July 30, 2003
TV Guide's Movie Guide

t's hard to believe A Room with a View cost so little; the costumes and sets are dazzling and the acting is superb -- from two-time Oscar-winner Smith to the smallest role, there's not a false note. Full Review

Nell Minow
April 13, 2002
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

This is a movie about having the courage to face one's feelings, and to risk intimacy, fully knowing and being known by another person.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 16, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A lovely-looking film that captures Forster's scorn for individuals tethered by class distinctions and conformity. Full Review

Dan Jardine
January 1, 2000
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide

This is a complete movie, full of life, love and hope. While we may occasionally forget that truth is beauty and beauty truth, thankfully films like A Room With a View will always be there as a reminder. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
November 6, 2001
Michael Atkinson, Movieline

Without [Helena Bonham Carter], A Room with a View would have been merely a Masterpiece Theater litany of ripe character actors spouting the king's English. With her, it breathes like a newlywed on ho... Full Review

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Facts

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    • Mr. Beebe: If she ever takes to living as she plays, it will be very exciting-both for us and for her.
    • Mr. Emerson: But you have been lying to everyone... including yourself.
    • Charlotte Bartlet: I shall never forgive myself.
    • Lucy Honeychurch: You always say that, Charlotte. And then you always do forgive yourself.
    • Lucy Honeychurch: I dont want to be a Leonardo I want to be myself!
    • Mr. Emerson: There's only one thing impossible - that's to love and to part.
    • Freddy Honeychurch: I say! That's an introduction. 'Come and have a bathe'!
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A Room With A View Trivia

  • In which movie did Oscar-winning actress Judi Dench play a "lady novelist?"  Answer »
  • In E.M Forster's "Room with a View" (1985) who played Lucy Honeychurch's chaperone?  Answer »
  • She starred in A Room with a View, Ladies in Lavender and Gosford Park. Who is she?  Answer »
  • He was in "The Madness of King George", "A Room With a View", "Mrs. Dalloway" and "V for Vendetta". Who is the actor?  Answer »
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