Adapted from E.M. Forster's novel of human connections and follies, this newest film from the James Ivory / Ishmail Merchant / Ruth Prower Jhabvala team is close to flawless.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 11, 2023

From start to finish, Howards End is a sumptuous visual delight. But the beauty of this film is far more than skin deep.

| Mar 5, 2020

A more troubling and rigorous inquest into a bygone era than usual.

| Aug 1, 2017

Deeply romantic, political, emotion-led, respectful of music and literature, impeccably dressed and, in one of the characters' own words, "overexpressive".

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 30, 2017

In its own severe and occasionally stolid way, Howards End offers real passion.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 28, 2017

It’s the final message of compassion in the face of human foibles that leads the film to greatness.

| Jul 28, 2017

A can't-miss opportunity to experience some of the finest filmmaking of the 20th century.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Oct 21, 2016

What sets "Howards End" apart is the complex emotional life of its characters.

| Sep 1, 2016

Elegant and powerful, accommodating collisions of class and temperament with the grace of a perfect Edwardian hostess, Howards End is the work to which all Merchant Ivory's other films have pointed and aspired.

| Aug 24, 2016

Testament to the richness of the story is that even these supporting characters have more depth than the average leading characters in an American film.

| Aug 24, 2016

Howards End provides more than enough in the way of production values-impeccable set decoration, elaborate costumes, beautiful locations and exquisite cinematography-to keep its primary audience entertained.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 24, 2016

Director Ivory has assembled a wonderful cast, and he gets them to work together as a repertory company of genius.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 24, 2016

This is the apotheosis of Classics Illustrated filmmaking, aiming at nothing more than tasteful reduction, and the fact that it's done so well here doesn't mean that it's necessarily worth doing.

| Aug 24, 2016

An enticing, elegant pleasure, alive with light and talk.

| Aug 24, 2016

The triumph of Howards End is that it doesn't merely invite us to feel for these characters. With something like grace, it shows us the error and the splendor of their ways.

| Original Score: A | Sep 7, 2011

E. M. Forster's Howards End makes a most compelling drama, perhaps the best film made during the 30-year partnership of Ismail Merchant and James Ivory.

| Jul 7, 2010

Never before has Ivory's filmmaking seemed so fluid and confident.

| Jul 7, 2010

Say "Merchant-Ivory" to most cinephiles and watch their eyelids sag.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 2, 2009

The performances are impeccable, but honours go to Thompson, who manages to make Margaret's saintliness actually seem seductive.

| Jun 24, 2006

It's time for legislation decreeing that no one be allowed to make a screen adaptation of a novel of any quality whatsoever if Ismail Merchant, James Ivory and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala are available, and if they elect to do the job.

| May 20, 2003