The Remains of the Day (with spoilers)

[spedbug]

No, I haven't been living under a rock but, yes, I just saw this film for the first time, last night.

I love Anthony Hopkins and I love Emma Thompson, individually,(they're both so damned versatile and subtly expressive!); a movie with them together should have been a 'must see'. I'm clueless as to how I went so long without watching this but, there you are - there's another insight into my character, dear friends. There are times when I'm undividedly clueless to the world around me - times that I'm so far down the rabbit hole of my own inner-world that even light can't escape the vacuum that are my tangled thoughts.

My first real reaction: "No! That better not be the end" (Yes, I stood up from the couch and yelled this at the television screen). But, as much as I railed against the way it ended (I'm a 'happy ending' whore, I'm afraid), I have to admit that the "forever-parting-of-ways, unrequited" ending was more fitting to the characters.

I just wanted to draw Anthony Hopkins head down to my chest and stroke his hair. Poor, repressed man with his thin comfort of having served well to last him the rest of his life. The injustice! Aaaaaagggghhh!

On an aside - I could've eaten Hugh Grant's character on toast with jam. Grrrowl!

Comments

[martip.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Hugh was yummy in that movie, but I wanted so badly to un-repress dear Sir Anthony. I'll bet I could. ;-)

Can you unrepress a man who,

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

when he hears you crying in your room because you're leaving to marry another man even though you want him, says "Such and such a room is dusty; I knew you'd want to know".

I found myself standing there, mouth hanging open in disbelief, torn between feeling pity and admiration for his tight control.

Re: Can you unrepress a man who,

[martip.livejournal.com]

Nah, with guys like that you can't do the subtle things, like cry. More assertion is needed - You have to physically kidnap him, and there need to be silk scarves and whipped cream involved.

(Seriously, I had the same reaction to the ending. "Nooooooo!!!")

[antof9.livejournal.com]

another fellow under-rock liver. Never saw it either. And I'm sure I don't want to now -- I'm a happy ending whore too! (isn't that the POINT of movies?!)

[resqgeek]

Yeah, me too, on both counts. I haven't seen it, and I'm not sure I want to. I'm a sucker for sappy endings (ooops! I just put my "guy card" in jeopardy, didn't I?).

[antof9.livejournal.com]

yikes!

Quick -- grab a beer and start burping :)

How about those Bears?

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

Seriously, though, you're cool as long as you don't outright sob at the end when Emma Thompson is standing in the doorway of the departing bus, obviously torn to bits over love lost once more, and Anthony Hopkins watching his one chance of happiness depart into the drizzling night.

[wobble, wobble] WAaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Re: How about those Bears?

[resqgeek]

Ok, now I know I don't want to see this movie! I'd be a wreck at the end. I'm such a sucker for scenes like that. Maybe that's why my wife is so fond of me?

Re: How about those Bears?

[antof9.livejournal.com]

Maybe that's why my wife is so fond of me?

Absolutely :)

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

It's worth the whole movie just to watch the expression on Anthony Hopkins's face when Emma is trying to pry the book out of his hands. What an actor. The whole story right there in that one expression.
Oh, and don't ask Mrfsr what happens in this movie. We saw it out in LA and he was sitting next to Julia Roberts. I think he may have been too distracted to follow the plot.

Well, look who's here!

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

See, LJ isn't a cult.

Ant, assign her a LJ chaperone so, when she's questioned by others, the chaperone can prompt her with "You adore Live Journal".

Re: Well, look who's here!

[antof9.livejournal.com]

I already told bookczuk I "vetter get credit" for her *joining*

(never eat and type at the same time. gives czukie opportunity to mock)

I think she may need more than one chaperone. . .

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

I already have a chaperone.
Tom Cruise tells me I can reply to messages, I just can't journal.
Because I'll never get to clear that way.

[madame-urushiol.livejournal.com]

Because I'll never get to clear that way.

Yes dear, you're still in a state of 'doubt'.

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

How much will it cost me to clear this doubt, do you suppose?
And will I have to watch War of the Worlds?

I'd take one Emma Thompson over a hundred Julia Robertses.

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

And why should he care about a Miss Roberts when a Mrs.fsr was in the room?!

Re: I'd take one Emma Thompson over a hundred Julia Robertses.

[antof9.livejournal.com]

But what has Julia Robertses got in her pocketses?


. . . just wondering

I'm glad you said that, Ant.

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

I was thinking it really, really hard but was biting my tongue.

Re: I'm glad you said that, Ant.

[antof9.livejournal.com]

whyEVER would you bother doing that?

Re: I'd take one Emma Thompson over a hundred Julia Robertses.

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

Well the man does have two hands...
Look at that. Less than 24 hours and I've already brought LJ right down into the gutter.

Re: I'd take one Emma Thompson over a hundred Julia Robertses.

[martip.livejournal.com]

Look at that. Less than 24 hours and I've already brought LJ right down into the gutter.

Exactly!! I'm *so* glad you're here. :-)

I think this end of LJ actually runs directly through the sewer system.

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

Have you read any of Madame U and zugenia's posts? ROFL

Re: I think this end of LJ actually runs directly through the sewer system.

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

I haven't, but since zugenia is another resident of my fair state, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

[madame-urushiol.livejournal.com]

My best friend and I saw this at the Mayan theatre in Denver when it first came out (it was the only theatre showing it in the city) and their only copy burned up in the machine 3/4 of the way through! The theatre gave us vouchers, but I had to wait until it came out on video to see "the remains of the movie". I've always had a great love of both the book and the movie.

How did the movie compare to the book?

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

Usually if I've read the book, first, the movie disappoints me.