THE REMAINS OF THE DAY
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
Copyright 1993 Mark R. Leeper
Capsule review: Anthony Hopkins plays Mr. Stevens, a
butler whose carries his integrity and dedication to his
profession to such a degree that he has lost himself in his
job and his only ideals are serving his master. Hopkins and
Emma Thompson turn in good performances, but this sad film is
just not up to all the buildup. Rating: low +2 (-4 to +4).
Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) is Lord Darlington's loyal butler. And that is all that Stevens allows himself to be. Very old values tell Stevens that every fiber of his being should be devoted to his vocation. So he has strangled off every emotion and inclination but those of loyalty and integrity as a butler. Lord Darlington (played by James Fox) is, after all, a very important man. As a diplomat he entertains other diplomats from all over Europe. As Germany re-arms under Hitler, Darlington has strong sympathies for the German people and he holds international conferences in Darlington Manor to convince other countries that Germany under Hitler does not constitute a threat. Stevens does not so much submerge his feelings about his master's politics as actually deny himself the right to even hold any feeling or opinion but loyalty.
Into this house comes a new housekeeper, Miss Kenton, played by Emma Thompson. At first there is friction between Stevens and Miss Kenton, particularly over Stevens' father, who has come to work in the same house. Eventually they learn to work together and to some degree understand each other. Miss Kenton is even startled one day to discover Stevens actually respects her. She responds by developing affection for Stevens and is frustrated to realize that Stevens does not allow himself the emotion to reciprocate her feelings.
Stevens' loyalty is made all the more tragic by the shallowness of the diplomats and friends of Darlington who feel they are the saviors of Europe while steering it toward inevitable war.
Yet the story is a bit of a tear-jerker and seems to do less with more than this year's similarly themed UN COEUR EN HIVER. The screenplay is by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. And there is something else here that is unexpected from a British-born writer. European films often show Americans as being brash dilettantes. While Christopher Reeve, as an American congressman attending a conference, is an idealist, he also is perhaps the only one of Darlington's guests to understand the issues involved at the conference.
THE REMAINS OF THE DAY is impeccably directed by James Ivory and Hopkins' acting is a joy to behold as he walks around the Manor giving bulldog looks and overseeing his master's house. Hopkins is always able to find something physical to do with a scene that seems to go beyond the script. In one scene Thompson is trying to pry an object from his hands. Hopkins resists, then relents. Most actors would simply let go of the object cradled in their arms. Hopkins flattens his hand giving an unexpected gesture of surrender. Thompson is engaging also, but with much less of a flair for the unexpected.
This is a solid film that may remind some of the TV series UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS. The characters are well portrayed but it is just a bit obvious in theme. I would give it a low +2 on the -4 to +4 scale.
Mark R. Leeper
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