Remains of the Day
US (1993): Drama
This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present, the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War II. Reunited with the filmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master, Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany, Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war, and, most effectively, his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression, but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master, Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties, although his is an emotional deprivation, possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations, this film is sumptuous to look at, capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. (N.F. Mendoza, Amazon.com)
8 nominations
· Best Picture of the Year 1993: Mike Nichols, John Calley & Ismail Merchant - Producers (Mike Nichols/ John Calley,/Merchant-Ivory, Columbia)
· Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1993: Sir Anthony Hopkins
· Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role 1993: Emma Thompson
· Achievement in Directing 1993: James Ivory
· Achievement in Writing - Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published 1993: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
· Achievement in Art Direction 1993: Luciana Arrighi - Art Direction, Ian Whittaker - Set Decoration
· Achievement in Costume Design 1993: Jenny Beavan, John Bright
· Achievement in Music (Original Score) 1993: Richard Robbins