Maurice Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude named Maurice gets the feels for his posh college friend, who then ditches him for a lady, so Maurice hooks up with the hot groundskeeper, proving love can bloom in the most unlikely potting sheds.

🍿 Maurice: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Cambridge

Maurice Hall, a young man from a middle-class family, attends Cambridge University in the early 20th century. He and his friend Clive Durham develop a close intellectual and emotional bond. Their relationship deepens, leading to Clive confessing his love for Maurice, initiating Maurice’s journey of self-discovery regarding his sexuality.

Clive’s Rejection and Societal Pressures

As Maurice grapples with his feelings, societal pressures and the fear of being ostracized become apparent. A fellow student is arrested for homosexual acts, causing Clive to panic and suppress his true feelings. Clive ultimately decides to conform to societal expectations, rejecting Maurice and planning to marry a woman. This rejection leaves Maurice heartbroken and struggling with his identity.

Finding Love with Alec Scudder

After Clive’s marriage, Maurice remains a close friend, often visiting Clive’s estate. During one visit, he encounters Alec Scudder, a young gamekeeper. An unexpected attraction sparks between them, leading to a passionate encounter. Alec’s genuine affection offers Maurice a path toward self-acceptance and a future free from societal constraints.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maurice Hall (James Wilby): A young man coming to terms with his homosexuality in Edwardian England, navigating societal pressures and personal desires.
• Alec Scudder (Rupert Graves): A gamekeeper who enters into a passionate affair with Maurice, defying class boundaries and societal expectations.
• Clive Durham (Hugh Grant): Maurice’s Cambridge friend who grapples with his sexuality, ultimately choosing societal acceptance over personal fulfillment.
• Doctor Barry (Denholm Elliott): The doctor offering conventional treatments and advice to Maurice, reflecting the societal views on homosexuality.
• Mrs. Hall (Billie Whitelaw): Maurice’s mother navigating the social complexities of her son’s circumstances.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Maurice Hall: “I’m an unspeakable of the Oscar Wilde sort.” – Maurice says this to the doctor while trying to understand and ‘cure’ his homosexuality, referencing the infamous trial of Oscar Wilde.
• Lasker-Jones: “England has always been disinclined to accept human nature.” – The hypnotist tells Maurice this when advising him to consider living abroad where homosexuality is more accepted.
• Alec Scudder: “Now we shan’t never be parted. It’s finished.” – Alec says this to Maurice in the boathouse, signifying their commitment to each other despite social obstacles.
• Clive Durham: “I believe in the body.” – Clive expresses his intellectual belief in the importance of physical connection, hinting at his suppressed desires.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £1,577,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,484,230
• Worldwide Gross: $2,643,324

💥 Maurice Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Maurice’ hit me right in the feels! Watching Maurice navigate his feelings for Clive, and then later Alec, felt so raw and real. I loved how the movie showed the struggle of being true to yourself in a time when it was basically illegal. Rupert Graves as Alec? Absolutely dreamy! That boathouse scene? *swoon* Definitely a movie I’ll be watching again and again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of period dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ stories”
  • “Those who appreciate thoughtful character studies”
  • “Admirers of Merchant Ivory productions”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Homosexuality”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Discussion of societal prejudice”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A sensitively handled adaptation of Forster’s novel, ‘Maurice’ delicately explores themes of love, class, and societal expectations in Edwardian England. The performances are nuanced, capturing the internal conflicts of the characters, making it a poignant and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
• The New York Times: “‘Maurice’ is a beautifully filmed and acted period piece that succeeds in bringing E.M. Forster’s novel to life. While the pacing can feel slow at times, the film’s exploration of forbidden love and societal pressures is both compelling and moving, making it a worthwhile watch.
• Roger Ebert: “While perhaps not as iconic as ‘A Room with a View’, ‘Maurice’ is nonetheless a well-crafted and emotionally resonant film. The performances, particularly Hugh Grant’s, are memorable, and the film’s exploration of sexuality and class is both insightful and affecting.

Audience Reactions

Viewers are captivated by the beautiful portrayal of a love that defies societal norms.: Most agree that it’s a powerful and moving story with fantastic performances, especially from the three leads.

Many found the ending hopeful and inspiring, a rare and welcome sight in gay-themed cinema.: The film’s sensitive handling of its subject matter resonated deeply with audiences, making it a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema.

Overall Consensus: ‘Maurice’ is a well-regarded adaptation of E.M. Forster’s novel, praised for its sensitive portrayal of love and societal constraints in Edwardian England. While some find the pacing slow, the film remains a powerful and moving exploration of self-discovery and acceptance.

Awards

1. Venice Film Festival (Best Actor)- 1987
2. Venice Film Festival (Silver Lion)- 1987

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “E.M. Forster wrote ‘Maurice’ around 1913 but kept it unpublished due to the societal and legal repercussions of homosexuality at the time. It was finally published posthumously in 1971.”
• “Hugh Grant has said that he considers his performance as Clive Durham to be one of his best.”
• “The filmmakers sought and received permission to film at King’s College, Cambridge, where E.M. Forster himself was an alumnus.”

🖥️ How to Watch Maurice?

Maurice is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for broadcast availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Maurice, you might like these similar films:

• Call Me by Your Name (2017): A coming-of-age story centered around a gay summer romance in Italy, similar to Maurice’s exploration of self-discovery and forbidden love.
• A Single Man (2009): Deals with themes of repressed homosexuality, societal expectations, and the search for connection in a time of societal intolerance.
• Another Country (1984): Explores homosexuality in the context of British boarding schools and societal pressures, featuring a similar Edwardian era atmosphere.

🛒 Maurice Related Products

• Maurice (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine transfer of the film in high definition. Includes extensive behind-the-scenes content, interviews with the cast and crew and essays exploring the movie’s cultural impact.
• E.M. Forster: Maurice: The original novel that inspired the movie, offering a deeper exploration of Maurice’s inner thoughts and feelings. Also includes a digital version.
• Maurice – Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie’s original poster. This poster is printed on premium matte paper for a vintage look and feel.
• Merchant Ivory Collection: 3-Disc Set Soundtrack: A collection of beautiful movie soundtracks from Merchant and Ivory films. This particular set includes Maurice, A Room With a View, and Howard’s End.

🎧 Soundtrack

Maurice features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Miserere Psalm 51” – performed by The Choir of Kings College Cambridge
• “Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – performed by Richard Robbins

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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