4 Maurice
1987, James Ivory
The biggest surprise in this film is the appearance of Hugh Grant, playing the young English University student who falls in love, and out, and in, with another student. Unique in this film is the period – the early 1900s when homo***uality, or more specifically, sodomy, was illegal in the United Kingdom. Not only do we see the issue of gender dealt with, but the issue of class – when one of the main characters (a wealthy young man), falls in love with a servant. This film is produced by Merchant Ivory – renowned for their excellent work in period dramas. A must see for anyone interested in historical ***uality issues.
Synopsis: Two male English school chums find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. To regain his place in society, Clive gives up his forbidden love, Maurice (pronounced “Morris”) and marries. While staying with Clive and his shallow wife, Anne, Maurice finally discovers romance in the arms of Alec, the gamekeeper. Written from personal pain, it’s E.M. Forster’s story of coming to terms with ***uality in the Edwardian age.