Maurice 4K 1987 Ultra HD 2160p

Two English school friends in Cambridge fall in love with each other. To regain his place in society, Clive breaks up with Maurice and gets married. While staying with Clive and his wife, Maurice discovers romantic feelings in the arms of the gamekeeper Alec.

User Review

From a visual perspective, James Ivory’s film is an outstanding work in its genre, woven from the enchanting atmosphere of early 20th-century Britain and the profound influence of the English dramatic tradition, which is reflected in the director’s work.

The magnificent nature and architecture of Cambridge, the captivating vistas of Victorian England, combined with the hidden nooks and crannies of London. And, of course, something capable of turning this seemingly perfect world upside down.

The story of the brooding heartthrob Clive and the straight-A student Maurice is surprisingly simple. A friendship that gradually blossoms into something more. Constant pressure from those around them. One’s marriage and the other’s unhappiness.

The issue of homosexuality (why beat around the bush?) is one of the most pressing and scrutinized; it grows and evolves alongside the changes in humanity itself. ‘Maurice’ is not a tragedy of two individuals; it is the tragedy of all members of sexual minorities. A phenomenon that, from century to century, has been portrayed as a disease and a deformity.

‘Maurice’ is the greatest clash of two archetypes, two different and utterly dissimilar forces of nature. Our relationship is a path of humility and a path of defiance. One rejects his nature, bashfully bowing his head before social conventions; the other surrenders completely to his true self, shrugging off the whims of a puritanical society.

This love story, beautifully portrayed by the Wilby-Grant duo, fails to move or captivate. Individually, the two Englishmen inspire genuine admiration, but in their scenes together, they take on the appearance of icy statues. There is no warmth or understanding between them; this romance develops too rapidly and without foundation. The second romantic pairing, featuring Maurice, is much more tender and straightforward; it is governed by altruism and self-sacrifice, which is why the ending for these characters is painted in bright colors.

Above all, the film is a slap in the face to Hugh Grant’s detractors, as the actor appears here in a new, completely different light. This is not the slacker Will from *My Boy*, not the aimless good-natured guy living in Notting Hill, and not even the devious boss of the plump Ms. Jones. Here we have an incredibly lyrical and multifaceted character who imperceptibly transforms into a selfish cynic—a masterfully portrayed character, delivered with captivating and well-developed acting.

Fans of fast-paced cinema will, of course, find *Maurice* a bit drawn-out and even tedious, but for true connoisseurs of British cinema, Ivory’s latest work is balm for the soul.
As for me, I enjoyed the magnificent set design, drew my own conclusions, and set the film aside on the farthest shelf. Until better times.

Info Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265 (81.9 Mb/s)
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1

Info Audio

#English: FLAC 2.0
#English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Info Subtitles