Designing The Movies: A ROOM WITH A VIEW – 40th Anniversary Screening (New Restoration!)

 

 

 

 

The enchanting classic is the ultimate summer romance, as delightful as warm sunshine. Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter, in her breakthrough role) is touring Italy with her cousin (Maggie Smith) when she meets free spirited George (a soulful Julian Sands)—an intriguing contrast to her priggish suitor Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis, perfectly insufferable). This sun-dappled ensemble is stacked: As the passive-aggressive spinster chaperone at odds with the blowsy lady-novelist goading Lucy along, dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench practically steal the show, rounded out by Day-Lewis, Denholm Elliott, Rupert Graves and Simon Callow in memorable supporting roles. Romance, wit and lush landscapes—it’s as perfect as a movie can be.

 

 

Based on the E.M. Forster novel about a young woman navigating repressive Edwardian-era British culture, this 1985 Merchant/Ivory period drama is the massive arthouse hit that made them a household name and won many major awards—including Oscars and BAFTAs for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction.