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A Room With A View HD-DVD 
Reviews HD Reviews
Written by Nick Lyons   
Monday, 24 December 2007


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Grade

Content Grade: D+
Sound Grade: C+
Extras Grade: B-
Picture Grade: B-

Specs

BBC Worldwide Americas Widescreen DTS HD Audio 117 Minutes

Review

It is well known that Merchant Ivory collaborations (namely "The Remains Of The Day" and "Howard's End") are critical darlings. In addition to scoring countless awards, their films have consistently been a success at the box office. But to me, however, they are kryptonite. I detest the Merchant Ivory period pieces so much in fact, that they come only second to Ashton Kutcher vehicles in my hall of pain list. Of course, in reviewing DVDs and HD-DVDs, you're bound to come across a Merchant Ivory film sooner or later. As it turns out, James Ivory's 1985 film "A Room With A View" wound up in my hands. The good news: It's probably the most tolerable of their work. The bad news: It's still a Merchant Ivory film.
"A Room With A View" is like every other period piece you've ever seen. The film is riddled with long walks, a gag worthy story about two men (George and Cecil) trying to win a woman's (Lucy) affection, fancy clothing, dinner chatter, manners (or lack thereof), carriage rides, etc. Luckily, we are spared of any costume balls. Even as I felt my health waning throughout the agonizingly long 117 minute running time, I couldn't help but admit that the lavish cinematography and the star studded cast are impressive. Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Denholm Elliott, Simon Callow, The Dench, are all fine in their roles, but the real scene stealer is the unrecognizable Daniel Day Lewis as the prissy George. Of course, Acting and cinematography do not a film make... The real flaw of "A Room With A View" is the script. Is this predictable love story meant to make you fight off sleep? I fail to understand why people love or continuously watch (or read) period pieces. Perhaps people like being transported to a different time period, but why this one? A time in which people are outraged by public affection sounds as appealing as living on Elm Street. Now I know why author Joe Queenan couldn't go through with a bet of watching all of the Merchant Ivory films in a certain length of time. I couldn't either.


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Picture and Sound

The 16:9 widescreen picture quality has its fair share of dirt and scratches, but that's rather expected for a catalogue title. The DTS HD Hi-Res Audio track is a little too quiet. Most of the dialogue sounds like background noise.

Extras

* Planet Earth ad. * Film Scrapbook, which is really a still photo slideshow. * "EM Forster Remembered" is a 26 minute BBC Tribute special to the acclaimed author. * "Film 96 Profile On Merchant Ivory" is a 4 1/2 minute look at the duos various films. * "Breakfast Time Report On UK Films In The US"- A quick 3 1/2 minute piece on how "A Room With A View" was doing well at the box office in the United States. * Nearly 7 minutes of interviews with Simon Callow and Daniel Day Lewis. * A commentary track by Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, Simon Callow, and Tony Pierce-Roberts.

Summary

If you adore period pieces, "A Room With A View" will appeal to you. If you find them to be as fun as watching paint dry, you're better off avoiding the genre entirely.

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