After his lover rejects him, Maurice attempts to come to terms with his sexuality within the restrictiveness of Edwardian society.
Acting
Wilby's vulnerability; Grant's repression; Graves' raw physicality.
Writing
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's adaptation respects Forster's hopeful ending.
Cinematography
Sun-drenched Cambridge vs. claustrophobic London drawing rooms.
Director
James Ivory
James Wilby
Maurice Hall
Hugh Grant
Clive Durham
Rupert Graves
Alec Scudder
Denholm Elliott
Dr. Barry
Simon Callow
Mr. Ducie
Billie Whitelaw
Mrs. Hall
Barry Foster
Dean Cornwallis
Judy Parfitt
Mrs. Durham
Phoebe Nicholls
Anne Durham
Patrick Godfrey
Simcox
Mark Tandy
Risley
Ben Kingsley
Lasker-Jones
Kitty Aldridge
Kitty Hall
Helena Michell
Ada Hall
Catherine Rabett
Pippa Durham
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rupert Graves was so broke he auditioned in borrowed clothes; his chemistry with Wilby was immediate and unscripted.
Released during Thatcher's Section 28 era, this was the first mainstream British film with a positive gay ending—Forster's 'happiness for Maurice' was finally honored.
GB
