🎬 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟕)

Full film:

Maurice (1987) is a romantic drama based on E.M. Forster’s novel, exploring love, repression, and self-acceptance in early 20th-century England. The film follows Maurice Hall (James Wilby), a young man from an upper-class background who struggles to understand his feelings for other men in a society that criminalizes homosexuality. While studying at Cambridge, he forms a deep bond with his friend Clive Durham (Hugh Grant), and their relationship soon turns romantic. However, Clive, fearing social and legal consequences, ends the relationship and chooses to marry a woman, leaving Maurice heartbroken and lost.

Maurice tries to conform to societal expectations, seeking medical help in an attempt to "cure" himself of his desires. He visits a hypnotist, hoping to rid himself of his attraction to men, but the treatment only deepens his inner turmoil. As he suppresses his true self, he becomes increasingly isolated and frustrated. However, his life takes a turn when he visits Clive’s country estate and meets Alec Scudder (Rupert Graves), a handsome and confident gamekeeper. Despite their class differences, Alec and Maurice share a growing attraction that neither can ignore.

Initially, Maurice fears pursuing a relationship with Alec, knowing the risks involved if they are discovered. However, Alec is more fearless and determined, refusing to live in secrecy and shame. When Alec plans to leave for Argentina to escape the rigid English class system, Maurice faces a critical decision—whether to continue living in fear or embrace his true self. In a moment of courage, he chooses love, meeting Alec in the dead of night to confess his feelings. The two men decide to run away together, defying the constraints of their world.

Unlike many tragic LGBTQ+ stories of its time, Maurice ends on a hopeful note, with the lovers finding freedom in each other. Maurice cuts ties with his old life, including Clive, who remains trapped in a conventional marriage and is left wondering what could have been. The contrast between Clive’s regret and Maurice’s newfound happiness highlights the cost of conforming versus the bravery of living authentically. Through Maurice’s journey, the film challenges the oppressive norms of its era while celebrating the possibility of love and liberation.

Maurice is a beautifully crafted period drama with lush cinematography, emotional depth, and outstanding performances. James Wilby and Rupert Graves bring tenderness and intensity to their roles, while Hugh Grant delivers a nuanced portrayal of internalized repression. Director James Ivory masterfully brings Forster’s novel to life, capturing both the pain of forbidden love and the triumph of self-acceptance. As one of the first mainstream films to depict a same-sex romance with a happy ending, Maurice remains a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema and a timeless story of courage and love.