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The Bostonians (1984)

The Bostonians (1984)
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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 ReeveVanessa Redgrave, (more)
Director(s):
James Ivory
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Bostonians

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

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
120 mins

Complete Cast of The Bostonians


Director(s):
James Ivory
Writer(s):
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Producer(s):
Al SchwartzMichael S. LandesIsmail Merchant
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR(Questionable for Children, Adult Situations)
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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.

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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!

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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!

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