Like many films chosen for this series, A Room with a View is a film I had meant to see sooner, but just never got around to it. It's especially galling in this case considering my penchant for English period films as well as the presence of so many British actors I know and love. Seeing Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench gleefully gossiping amidst the tall grass was a highlight and very nearly made my pick of best shot.
No, my best shot quite predictably went to a pretty, pretty boy namely Rupert Graves who apparently makes his film debut as the ever-energetic and free-spirited Freddy Honeychurch, the younger brother of our main protagonist Lucy Honeychurch played by Helena Bonham Carter. See A Room with a View is actually just my second Merchant-Ivory film. My first was Maurice starring a fresh-faced Graves playing gay. But that's neither here nor there, here's my favorite shot from this film:
Best Shot
It's the joyful end of a very naked scene involving Graves, Julian Sands, and Simon Callow taking a bath at a local lake. Just a little nude horseplay between friends if you will. Here Graves unsuccessfully tries to hide as his mother, sister, and sister's fiancé (brilliantly played by a snobbish preening Daniel Day Lewis) discovers them to their shock, amusement, and annoyance respectively. Just look at his boyish smile and adorable face. Who could resist? Talk about a nice view (yeah, sorry).
I saw the film in the theatre on its original release shortly after its debut and this scene was already infamous. Love the entire picture but this was certainly a pleasant interlude and that's a great choice for best shot.
ReplyDeleteRupert Graves, with his brash adorableness and that hair!!, was SO perfect for Freddy Honeychurch.