Customer Reviews

The Europeans [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This beautiful adaptation of the Henry James novel of the same name is an early Ivory/Merchant film. It is beautifully shot with shimmering pastoral scenes that bring to mind some wonderful impressionist paintings. The story is likewise somewhat impressionistic and centered around two brother and sister expatriates, Eugenia and Felix Young, who come from Europe to visit their wealthy American half cousins, the Wentworths, in the very bucolic, very Yankee, suburban environs of Boston in the late nineteenth century.

The Wentworths are a rather strait-laced, prim and proper, wealthy family, whose head is the dour and mistrustful old Mr. Wentworth (Wesley Addy). The family welcomes their European cousins with some trepidation and reservation, as they seem positively bohemian to them. The one exception is Gertrude Wentworth (Lisa Eichhorn) who gravitates towards her newly found, sophisticated relatives. As a flower turns to the sun, Gertrude turns to her cousins to brighten her otherwise dull and narrow world. She is not disappointed.

Eugenia (Lee Remick) proclaims to be the Baroness Munster, an unhappily married woman on the brink of divorce. Her charming brother, Felix (Tim Woodward), is a rather artistic fellow with no foreseeable prospects. Together they take the Wentworths by storm and turn their previously well ordered, somewhat provincial world, upside down. This is a slow moving film that allows the story to unfold at its own, unhurried pace.

As Eugenia and Felix leisurely weave themselves into the fabric of the Wentworths' lives, changes ensue. During their stay, a romance develops between Felix and Gertrude. Her rebuffed suitor, Mr. Brand (Norman Snow), ends up finding solace in the arms of Charlotte, Gertrude's more eminently suited sister. Eugenia, however, who has set about to snare the Wentworths' attractive and wealthy neighbor, Robert Acton (Robin Ellis), is in for a very rude awakening.

Lee Remick, a vastly underrated actress, is delightful as the beautiful and predatory Eugenia. Tim Woodward is boyishly charming as Felix, the cousin who sweeps Gertrude off her feet. Robin Ellis is excellent as the thoughtful Robert Acton, the man who stands on the brink of a major life changing decision. Wesley Addy is very good as the suspicious Wentworth patriarch. Lisa Eichhorn's portrayal of Gertrude, however, is flat, as if she were performing in the throes of a zen like trance. Yet, it does not detract unduly from the overall quality of the film.

This is a film that those who love period pieces will enjoy. If you are not a period piece lover, however, deduct one star from my review and proceed at your own risk.

When "the Europeans" arrive unexpectedly to stay at the New England home of their strait-laced cousins, the Wentworth family, the conflicts between European and American values, so often highlighted in the novels of Henry James, are quickly established in this 1979 Merchant-Ivory film. Screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala stays close to the tone, themes, and action of the James novel as she brings to life a strict and pious New England family which is suddenly exposed to a whole new way of life. Felix Young (Tim Woodward), a charming and energetic European artist/actor/traveler, without prospects in Europe, has accompanied his sister Eugenia, Baroness of Munster (Lee Remick), to America while her marriage is being dissolved. Here, where no one knows them, Eugenia believes that "natural relations," as opposed to the "artificial relations" of Europe will prevail.

Young Gertrude Wentworth (Lisa Eichhorn), always the most iconoclastic member of the family, is immediately smitten by Felix, finding him a welcome relief from the earnest but stuffy Rev. Brand (Norman Snow), who has been courting her. While Felix and Gertrude are discovering each other, Eugenia works her wiles on the Wentworth men, focusing both on Clifford (Tim Choate), the young son and Wentworth heir-to-be, and on neighbor Robert Acton (Robin Ellis), flirting and awakening them to new and exciting possibilities.

The late autumn foliage sets off the Federal Period homes (the exterior being the Barrett House in New Ipswich, NH, and some interiors from the Salem [MA] National Heritage site), all perfectly maintained and appropriately furnished, which serve as the setting for the action, and the cinematography (Larry Pizer), shows off naturally beautiful outdoor scenes (some of which take place in an elegant antique gazebo), along with dreadful rains and mud. The original score by Richard Robbins is one of the film's highlights--romantic without being cloying, and often haunting. Jill Eichhorn, as Gertrude, is charming as she represses her sense of fun at the beginning and then lets go, under the influence of the captivating Felix.

Well photographed, winningly scored, and beautiful to look at, this early Merchant-Ivory film is a lovely entertainment, but it does have two weaknesses. The father (as played by Wesley Addy) seems unrealistically puritanical, especially for a man who reads the transcendentalists, lives only seven miles from Boston, and is a Unitarian (not a dogmatic denomination). And Lee Remick, as Eugenia, is too mature for the role. In her mid-forties when she makes this film, her serious flirting with twenty-ish Clifford does not ring true, nor does her calculating manipulation of the family. Lacking the depth of the novel, the film is a wry and often humorous look at mid-19th century life. Mary Whipple

Lee Remick must be one of the most underrated stars of her generation. In 1979's Merchant-Ivory film, 'The Europeans' she gives a subtle and moving portrayal of a money-seeking baroness, Eugenie, who seeks out old cousins in deepest New England, Mass. The film is a pictorial chamber piece, standing nicely alongside the more recent adaptation of early James, 'The Wings of a Dove'. Its supporting performances are wonderful characterisations. If you don't like the look of tonight's Masterpiece Theatre, watch 'The Europeans'. END

Lee Remick must be one of the most underrated stars of her generation. In 1979's Merchant-Ivory film, 'The Europeans' she gives a subtle and moving portrayal of a money-seeking baroness, Eugenie, who seeks out old cousins in deepest New England, Mass. The film is a pictorial chamber piece, standing nicely alongside the more recent adaptation of early James, 'The Wings of a Dove'. Its supporting performances are wonderful characterisations. If you don't like the look of tonight's Masterpiece Theatre, watch 'The Europeans'. END

Maybe this should be 5-star,but the general dullness of the characters does not make for exciting viewing, with the possible exeption of Lee Remick. You have to admit it's like witnessing autumn Massachusetts in the pre-Civil War era. Or at least that's what I think based on the terrific costumes (even though James was later). Yes, like Masterpiece Theatre only better. All talk, almost no action, but very vivid and thoughtful! Dry mating games and interbreeding among very rich Yankees.

This is an early and lesser Merchant/Ivory period piece featuring a visit of Europeans Lee Remick and Tim Woodward to their Bostonian cousins, however the staging is so stiff director James Ivory may have well used mannequins. The soundtrack is very busy, what with the rustling of dresses and singing birds but also features the lovely Richard Robbins score which livens things up a smidgen. Miraculously a little of Henry James' humour survives when delivered by Woodward and the disapproving Bostonian father played by Wesley Addy. Together they have a very funny chat about having a portrait painted. Woodward has the misfortune to fall in love with Lisa Eichhorn, possibly the dullest of all the family, and she scores an unintentional laugh when she tells him how "dreary" he must find her. The ageless Lee Remick has a few moments of fun. I particularly liked her panic in the first meeting. Remick isn't believable as a predator - she's rather too light - though she is amusing when bored, but the only thing vaguely European about her is her odd hairdos. One might have a moral objection to the idea of marrying one's cousin, though perhaps this inbreeding shouldn't be judged by contemporary standards. Of note is James' using "pleased to" instead of "would you please" in requests.

Boston High Society of 1850 was dominated by rigid social standard and custom. Into the encumbered world of the wealthy Wentworth clan marches quite unexpectedly their Europeans cousins Felix and Eugenia.The Europeans are "Bohemian" lovers of life and of worldly pleasures which is quite opposite of the reserved Unitarian (Congregationalists decending from Presbyterianism)uppercrust of Massachusetts.This film examines the different reactions that Gertrude Wentworth has towards her cousins in stark contrast to much of the the rest of her family and Boston Society.Gertrude becomes "excited" and "impassioned" for the first time in life,as she falls for her cousin,the wild and admitedly "happless" Felix.Cousin Eugenia on the other hand,"looks down her nose" at The Bostonians and she plays a game of teasing and enticing potential suitors for what is not always a clear motive.What is the motive of these Europeans in coming to visit their American cousins?
As we come to expect from any Merchant Ivory film,incredible attention is given to costume,colour,sets and gorgeous cinematography interlaced with appropriate classical music of the Era.On that alone this film earns three stars.However,the story is so unrelentingly dull (frankly the book IMO is as well) and with absolutely uninspired acting from everyone WITH the exception of the brilliant and now deceased Lee Remick as Cousin Eugenia,that this film may be one of the longest 90 minutes you may ever spend watching a film!This is an early work for Merchant Ivory (1979),but the seeds of some of their greatness that was to come is very much present in THE EUROPEANS.The attention to detail is very much a hallmark of Merchant Ivory films,no matter how you may feel about their massive body of works.Some of the finest cinematography and colour ever can be found in the Merchant Ivory films.That alone is a rare treat for some.However,the choice of actors,apart from Lee Remick,was very B-list and lower... and it shows.Also,Henry James' novels have always seemed to be problematic for both the producers and viewers alike.The film is ,I hate to say, boring,but still it is a good representaion of American High Society if that is of interest.Other films that cover similar ground would be THE AGE OF INNOCENCE,THE HOUSE OF MIRTH,and THE BOSTONIANS (which is also a later Merchant Ivory movie
this reviewer feels is a much more complete film.)