GREAT CINEMA ADAPTATiONS: A ROOM WITH A VIEW

Peter Josyph via Zoom

Ever since its publication in 1908, A Room With A View has continued to rank as one of E. M. Forster's masterworks and as one of the best novels of the century. Typically for Forster, the novel combines the stories of several Edwardian families from different social spheres to suggest what happens when class barriers are respected and by what means they might be broken down. The Merchant-Ivory adaptation of 1985, shot on location in Florence and in England, is one of the most successful in their long collaboration with screenwriter Ruth Jhabvala. Starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Day-Lewis, Denholm Elliott, Julian Sands, and Simon Callow, it won 4 of its 14 British Academy Award nominations, and 3 of its 8 Oscar nominations, and a Golden Globe for Maggie Smith. Our first session examines how the themes of the novel relate to Forster's philosophy—and his style as a storyteller; and how the filmmakers met the challenge of adapting a novel that Forster's estate protected from cinema for 75 years. Our second session explores the ways in which the film “bodies forth” Forster's themes while serving as an ideal showcase for some of the best actors of our day.

 [A Zoom link will be sent to you prior to each session, typically on the day before your class and the morning of your class.  If you have any questions or need help getting online, feel free to call us at 516-480-5733 and we’ll get right back to you with assistance.]