The Bostonians (1984) Reviews

The Bostonians (1984)
Member Rating:  
Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by Henry James, Merchant/Ivory's The Bostonians is set among the Back Bay uppercrust of the 19th century. Basil Ransom (Christopher Reeve), bored by his opulent lifestyle and his "proper" friends, is fascinated by his cousin, outspoken suffragette Olive Chancellor (Vanessa Redgrave). Basil and Olive's mutual friend is likeable, gregarious Verena Tannant (Madeleine Potter). Soon a triangle develops, albeit an unorthodox one: Basil and Olive both find themselves pursuing Verena, Basil because he is in love with her, and Olive because she wants to exploit Verena's social connections and gift for public speaking to promote her own political ideology. Lurking in the background is Verena's true love, poor-but-honest attorney Henry Burrage (John Van Ness). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Christopher Reeve, Vanessa Redgrave, (more)
Director(s):
James Ivory
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(16 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Julianne S.

There was nothing endemic to Boston, I expected a period piece showing me life in Boston or Bostonian families, instead just a tale of women's suffrage which was brought about suffrage to the viewer. Long boring, story was told within 10 minutes then just had to get through the film to see it come true. Also implausible that women would be so committed to the rantings of a huckster's daughter. She is just the sort that Bostonians would not have had any part of. Ridiculous.

Yes   |   No


SANDHYA P.

I am very patient with movies so I decided to watch this movie despite bad reviews. It sadly true ,this movie is not worth watching. A big waste of time and a very loosely connected and jerky story. Acting was good but the direction was as awful as the story. I do not recommend watching this movie even though I sat through whole of it waiting for something worthwhile, which was all in vain!

Yes   |   No


Regina D.

I don't mind "slow" dramas where "nothing happens" as long as there's a point to it, the script is good and the acting is worth watching. Unfortunately this piece is really BORINGLY SLOW, the acting is so wooden and unnatural, and the dialogue is like the rehearsal of a play. Skip this movie: read the book instead and pray that a new version with a better team of directors, script writers and actors does the job!

Yes   |   No


Jackie P.

The other review that said they only watched 25 minutes of this movie had a lot of patience. I only got thru 5 minutes of it, if that. Great actors but horrible movie. All of these actors must have really needed a paycheck.

Yes   |   No


Heather M.

Awful movie! Super weird and creepy!

Yes   |   No


Charles and Karen M.

I only watched about the first 25 minutes and couldn't take any more. This was stupid and inane and not worth watching at all. A complete waste of time.

Yes   |   No


BEN E.

The sound quality is poor, can't really hear what's going on and it's just not a very interesting film. There's none of the opulence of some of their other works and none of the character play. We lasted 35 minutes is that a record?

Yes   |   No


Jason A.

Slow-moving. Not great acting. Horrible accent by Reeve. Henry James loves a love triangle. Watch Wings of the Dove instead. Another James story, another triangle, but better. Written by Sarah A.

Yes   |   No


Nancy U.

Very enjoyable period piece-nice to see Chris Reeve young an strong-excellent acting from Vanessa Redgrave if a bit over the top. Good scoop information on suffraget movement. Good movie if a bit slow in spots.

Yes   |   No


Jim H.

Of course, it was slow. Of course, there was little action. It was from Henry James. It worked as a period piece.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Julianne S.

    There was nothing endemic to Boston, I expected a period piece showing me life in Boston or Bostonian families, instead just a tale of women's suffrage which was brought about suffrage to the viewer. Long boring, story was told within 10 minutes then just had to get through the film to see it come true. Also implausible that women would be so committed to the rantings of a huckster's daughter. She is just the sort that Bostonians would not have had any part of. Ridiculous.

    Yes   |   No

     
    SANDHYA P.

    I am very patient with movies so I decided to watch this movie despite bad reviews. It sadly true ,this movie is not worth watching. A big waste of time and a very loosely connected and jerky story. Acting was good but the direction was as awful as the story. I do not recommend watching this movie even though I sat through whole of it waiting for something worthwhile, which was all in vain!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Regina D.

    I don't mind "slow" dramas where "nothing happens" as long as there's a point to it, the script is good and the acting is worth watching. Unfortunately this piece is really BORINGLY SLOW, the acting is so wooden and unnatural, and the dialogue is like the rehearsal of a play. Skip this movie: read the book instead and pray that a new version with a better team of directors, script writers and actors does the job!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 16 Reviews
       

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