Premise: A tightly self-controlled butler's dedication to his service hinders his personal life.
Stars: Anthony Hopkins * Emma Thompson * Christopher Reeve * James Fox
Story: Mr. Stevens (Hopkins) is a right and proper gentleman's butler. He runs the household of Lord Darlington (Fox) during the interwar period as England slides towards World War II. Darlington hires Ms. Kenton (Thompson) to be his housekeeper. The two are equal in the running of the household, leading to frequent interaction regarding their supervision of the rest of the employees. Beginning with their earliest conversations, Ms. Kenton displays respect and admiration for Mr. Stevens but seeks to engage him on a personal level, which is only grudgingly and haltingly granted. Even as their discussions involve the decline of his father and the employment of two refugee German Jews in Darlington's household, Mr. Stevens refuses to let his tightly held personal views be expressed. Eventually, Ms. Kenton falls in love with Mr. Stevens, but due to his lack of reciprocity, she accepts the betrothal of another man and leaves the household. Years later, Mr. Stevens is contacted by Ms. Kenton and goes to visit her, ostensibly to bring her back to his new employer as a housekeeper, but in his own words "to correct a mistake" he'd made.
Review: Hopkins is excellent as the repressed and tightly wound Mr. Stevens. It's easily one of his best movies. Emma Thompson is additionally great as Ms. Kenton. His total lack of emotions, except in one engaging moment where Ms. Kenton nearly breaks through his shell, epitomize the perfect butler according to his instruction and belief. The abject fear and longing on display when Ms. Kenton approaches him in that moment is easily affecting. His continued lack of understanding and Ms. Kenton's frustration with her advances are understated until the night she announces her departure. Additionally, his steadfast behaviour prevents him from really interacting and reacting to events surrounding him, from his father's decline to his employer's political actions. The lack of self-awareness traps him until long after it may be too late.
The film is easily recommended as it's one of the few where Hopkins clearly demonstrates how good of an actor he can be when he's not playing over-intelligent psychos/non-psychos.
Overall: Good
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