I have heard many people complain how boring or monotonous "Howards End" is(look at some of the other user comments). The first time I watched it, I was inclined to concur, though only in regards to the first hour. However I eventually got around to reading the book, and decided to view the movie again.
I now found that none of it could be described as boring. The possible reason for this may be choices made by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and James Ivory regarding the visual representation of Forster's language and ideals, in ways which make the film and book differ, but enhance the screen drama(ie. having the Beethoven concert be a lecture on "Music and Meaning", and the extended scene of Helen Schlegal and Leonard Bast on the lake). This, combined with lovely art direction and costuming and the brilliant cast(particular credit to Emma Thompson as Margaret Schlegal, who serves as the moral and intellectual center of the story)makes the Merchant Ivory production of "Howards End" excellent.
I now found that none of it could be described as boring. The possible reason for this may be choices made by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and James Ivory regarding the visual representation of Forster's language and ideals, in ways which make the film and book differ, but enhance the screen drama(ie. having the Beethoven concert be a lecture on "Music and Meaning", and the extended scene of Helen Schlegal and Leonard Bast on the lake). This, combined with lovely art direction and costuming and the brilliant cast(particular credit to Emma Thompson as Margaret Schlegal, who serves as the moral and intellectual center of the story)makes the Merchant Ivory production of "Howards End" excellent.