Maurice

James Ivory, UK 1987, 140 minutes

At the beginning of the century, ignoring the instructions on his sexual duties delivered hysterically by his teacher (Simon Callow), Maurice (James Wilby) goes to Cambridge where he falls in love with his friend Clive (Hugh Grant).

Although the love is mutual, homosexuality is illegal in Edwardian England. When one of their friends is sent to prison for homosexual behaviour, Clive becomes scared, and marries in order to save his reputation. Maurice is initially devastated, and yet ultimately finds far more happiness by not compromising and acting on his homosexual love for Clive's game keeper (Rupert Graves).

Maurice is based on E M Forster's novel, which he wrote in 1914 but which was not published until 1971 because of its content. It is a sensitive portrayal of homosexual love, and the pain caused by society's homophobia. The last scene of Clive gazing out of the window, painfully longing for Maurice is incredibly moving.

Maurice of course contains all you can expect from Merchant Ivory - beautiful sets, a perceptive script, and fine performances especially from Grant. His portrayal of the enthusiastic and not bumbling Clive should be held up more often as an example that he can play more than one part.

"The performances are excellent, the period trappings, like the love scenes, in the best possible taste." - Time Out

Review by Alicia Forsyth
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97