As for the ending - I don’t wish to spoil it for you, should you still wish to view this ‘adaptation’. But if you ever wondered what would happen if Nihilism met the Classics, this is your answer. I was left feeling at first confused, then depressed and angry, by this film after the final scene. The ten seconds of ‘cut to black’ at the end of The Sopranos’ final episode was less annoying.
Watch this film, if at all, only for the very fleeting glimpes of Florence, Italy - it was filmed on location. Surely however there are better ways to view Florence than this. The 'view' from this sad adaptation is very grim. Masterpiece Theater’s A Room with a View has brief, ‘blurred’ nudity and a ‘suggestive’ scene, but no obscenity. The only obscenity here is the depressingly empty, shattered wreck made from what used to be a hope-filled classic.
Article comments
1 - katie
While it wasn't what I expected I didn't think it was all that bad. I do have to admit though that it has been so long since I've read the book that I can't really compare the two. Taken on it's own this version is worth watching at least once, if only to turn the viewer on to the book.
2 - Josh Lasser
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to the Advance family of websites and to Boston.com, which will allow even more readers to enjoy it.
3 - bliffle
Having neither read the book or seen the 1985 movie I actually rather enjoyed this TV program. I, too, was bothered by the acting and the actors and the disjointed nature of the presentation.
I'm guessing that the strength of Forsters writing carried through in spite of the shortcomings of the TV play, so I'm going to screen the 1985 movie in a couple days and see what I think then.
Anyway, the TV show has piqued my interest in the story, so that's a good thing.
4 - Fan of the original film
I agree, this was an appalling version. No one seems to have remarked that the George character in this film was completely miscast. He seems merely like a confused, selfish, insensitive clod--one simply can't sympathize with him.
And yes, the new ending was completely unnecessary.
5 - kathy
Brandy review is right on. I was appalled. I stayed up late after viewing this to re-read the novel because I could not believe what had been done--especially the ending. Am glad others will be looking at the movie again, it is a classic with a lovely screenplay.