Kitty Aldridge

Set against the stifling conformity of pre-World War I English society, E.M. Forster's MAURICE is a story of coming to terms with one's sexuality and identity in the face of disapproval and misunderstanding. Maurice Hall (James Wilby) and Clive Durham (Hugh Grant) find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. In a time when homosexuality was punishable by imprisonment, the two must keep their feelings for one another a complete secret. Sparkling direction by James Ivory, distinguished performances from the ensemble cast, and a charged score by Richard Robbins all combine to create a film of immense power. MAURICE is a romantic, moving story of love and self-discovery for all audiences.

Lucy Honeychurch is, like all proper young British ladies, compelled to tour Europe in the company of an older chaperone -- in this instance, her spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett. While in Italy, the ladies make the acquaintance of a wide variety of personalities; the most fascinating -- at least in Lucy's eyes -- is free-spirited George Emerson. Aware that her cousin is becoming too familiar with Emerson, Charlotte demands that Lucy return to England posthaste. Lucy complacently settles for the tiresomely traditional courtship of nerdish Cecil Vyse -- and then Mr. Emerson moves into the neighborhood. Lucy now finds herself on the horns of a dilemma: Should she opt for a safe, proper marriage to Cecil, or the bohemian unpredictability of the charismatic Emerson?

E.M. Forster's turn-of-the-century novel about Edwardian manners is expertly adapted for the screen. Lucy (Helena Bonham Carter) travels to Florence with her chaperone (Maggie Smith) in tow. There, Lucy meets and falls for a fellow countryman's moody son (Julian Sands). But like any proper Englishwoman of that era, she must fight her feelings … and it's a losing battle. Merchant-Ivory's first big hit won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.