The Europeans

The obvious issue that many readers have with Henry James' books is that his characters' motives and desires often seem unclear, despite the extensive dialogues. But this is not the late James where a dozen pages of exposition of thought and motive precede each spoken sentence. The Europeans is only a short, simple book faithfully recreated here. A fine adaptation. In the past, I'd say Henry James has been excellently served by directors such as James Cellan-Jones (The golden bowl, The Ambassadors), Jack Clayton (The innocents), William Wyler (The heiress) and of course James Ivory. Yet neither Truffaut (The green room), nor Rivette (Celine et Julie), or Bogdanovich (Daisy Miller) could keep up with the Jameses. (Not to mention the disastrous version of Portrait of a Lady with Nicole Kidman.) While not on the level of Remains of the day and other Merchant/Ivory films at their peak, this film is where the partnership truly took off in presenting Masterpiece-Theatre-like period films. The visuals are untouchable. The cinematography, wonderful as it captures the New England autumn. The casting, very good: Lee Remick, Faye Dunaway, Jane Fonda, Wesley Addy, Tim Woodward, Tim Choate.

Being a James Ivory film, nothing surprising in the seduction of details, clothes, rooms and dialogue. Being a good adaptation of the novel by Henry James, nothing surprising about atmosphere.

In short , a beautiful film.

The colors of autumn as one of basic virtues for me.

This film is a masterpiece as are all of the Merchant/Ivory's films. The absorbing story and adaptation, the fantastic actors - notably the immensely beautiful Lee Remick - and the eye for detail makes this a unique experience and may be watched again and again.

Filmed in typical lush Merchant-Ivory fashion, this film left me feeling confused. I wanted to like it, and certainly enjoyed the sumptuous visuals, but it simply failed to lift off the launch pad.

When felix and eugenia, the cousins from europe, show up unexpectedly, the prim and proper wentworth family isn't sure what to expect. And that's the first thirty minutes of the film. Then things pick up a bit when the two men chasing after women come face to face... at the one hour mark. Things kind of sail along until the very end, when all secrets are revealed. It's all well done, just nothing real exciting going on here. Euros come to boston, and visit the religious side of the family. It's okay. Kind of a slow simmer, like a jane austen novel. It's all about the love story. Directed by james ivory. He has won an oscar, and been nominated for three more. But not for this film. Story by henry james. This was nominated for best costumes. Currently showing on the tubi channel.