A drama about an English Butler (Hopkins) who is devoted to his work to an obsessive degree that he allows personal relationships to pass him by, through fear of any action compromising his dignity. He runs Darlington Hall for Lord Darlington with Miss Kenton (Thompson) and the film takes place with events leading up to the Second World War. During their time they form a close relationship but repress true feelings for each other.
The subplot involves meetings between diplomats taking place within the hall which are to shape political foreign relations between America, Britain and Germany and the controversy that surrounds Lord Darlington’s friendship with right-wing extremists.
The story is told during 2 separate time periods, the first being during their time working at the hall and then 20 years later when they both reflect on their time together.
The films famous supporting cast are excellent but it is Hopkins and Thompson who give the film subtlety and meaning. Hopkins deeply conveys a man unable to display political views or express desire properly and who has much dignity and authority but who is torn inside. The settings are quite claustrophobic but genuine as most of the film is based within Darlington Hall and truly conveys the huge work involved in the upkeep of such large places and its effects on the people working there.
Both Hopkins and Thompson were Oscar nominated for their roles and the DVD has many language and subtitle options. The film is a Merchant Ivory adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Japanese-British author Kazuo Ishiguro.
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Production Year: 1999 - Drama - Director: Dick Maas - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: William Hurt, Jennifer Tilly, Denis Leary, Michael Chiklis, Francesca Brown
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Production Year: 1945 - Drama - Director: David Lean - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond
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Hopkins is a model of restraint and propriety as Stevens, the butler who "knows his place"; Emma Thompson is the animated and sympathetic Miss Kenton, the housekeepe...
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The Remains of the Dayis one of Merchant-Ivory's most thought-provoking films. Anthony ... more
Hopkins is a model of restraint and propriety as Stevens, the butler who "knows his place"; Emma Thompson is the animated and sympathetic Miss Kenton, the housekeepe...
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Oscar Winners Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs) and Emma Thompson (Howards End) ... more
star in this extraordinary and moving story of blind devotion and repressed love. Hopkins stars as Stevens, a dedicated English butler to Lord Darlington, beautifu...