Saturday, July 07, 2012
SURRENDER
Today's Favorite Gay Film #7, was Merchant-Ivory's
A classic. Two friends become lovers in university and upon graduation face the reality of a totally repressive society.
The production is lush and heavy with social detail. The usual Merchant-Ivory immersion.
Ironically or not, Merchant and Ivory were also lovers. The story was in very adept hands.
It is a great film, much like a chase, where Maurice is running to save his soul if not his life.
In the end he finds a way out and surrenders to it. Like Forster, he took his love in the lower classes where the show was not so much about how you lived your life but that you not scare the horses or be embarrassing. As it happens, Maurice is quite prepared for this as he has spent time teaching boxing in the slums and hanging out with rougher men. It is exactly what the doctor, at one point recommends.
Also full to bursting are the wonderful actors who fill in the other roles.
I loved this film when I first saw it, when it came out, and still do.
A 5 out of Netflix5.
