E. M. Forster's novel, "Maurice," is given a first-rate screen adaptation by this British production. James Ivory's direction is very cinematic, conveying the multi-layered story through a series of dramatic scenes, with just a bit of over-voice narration. Its impact comes through an incremental effect, reaching moving proportions by the end of the lengthy presentation. James Wilby, Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves and Helena Bonham Carter are all excellent, heading a superior cast. Every aspect of the production has been carefully prepared and executed.

What emerges for me is the tragedy of societal constraint, under the guise of virtue. It is a tightrope to walk for the free-wheeling, independent thinker in this society: he who steps outside the bounds of regularity is subject to scorn and persecution. That the drama's heros do not fall into the mode of so-called "normalcy" leave them open to a lifestyle of tension and risk. Forster beautifully conveys this in the novel, and Ivory transfers it to the screen with great skill.

Certainly "Maurice" is one of the top motion pictures of the 80s. Kudos to all who took part in bringing this poignant novel to the screen.

Young British man in the early 1900s must come to terms with his homosexuality, a lifestyle which brought forth criminal charges in turn of the century England. Plodding, overlong, overly-sensitive piece from director James Ivory, who also co-adapted the script with Kit Hesketh-Harvey, based on E.M. Forster's novel. It is certainly pretty enough, and the performances by James Wilby and a very green Hugh Grant are commendable, but where are the roller-coaster highs and lows of living a taboo sexual life? "Maurice" is nurtured along in a tableaux style which gives us factual details but none of the emotion. ** from ****

I love the films of Merchant Ivory, especially The Remains of the Day, and Maurice is no exception. It is not my favourite of theirs, there are one or two occasional dull spots for me, but I cannot deny that Maurice(adapted from EM Forster's autobiographical novel) is beautiful. As always, the production values are truly immaculate with the cinematography skillful and the scenery and, costumes and interiors/exteriors gorgeous. The music is also hypnotic and of real beauty, the film is lovingly directed, the script is superbly written and the story is compelling and resonates emotionally with me. Also I think Maurice deals with the theme of homosexuals very well. The acting is excellent, James Wilby especially is very powerful, but I shouldn't dismiss Simon Callow, Patrick Godfrey, Judy Parfitt, Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves either, they are all wonderful. So overall, Maurice is a beautiful film. 9/10 Bethany Cox