MERCHANT IVORY SERIES
Inspired by the success of our Tea with Dame Maggie series and the enthusiastic response to A Room with a View, Harbor Theater is proud to introduce the Merchant Ivory Luncheon Film Series! This special winter event invites you to enjoy a light buffet lunch paired with timeless films from the celebrated Merchant Ivory catalogue. Known for their exquisitely lush historical literary dramas, Merchant Ivory dominated the 1980s and 90s with their unique storytelling and cinematic artistry.
The series begins with a fascinating documentary exploring the legacy of this remarkable independent production company, offering an intimate look into their unparalleled contributions to film.
TUESDAYS in February & March!
All shows will begin at 1:00 p.m. with lunch served at 12:30 p.m.
Film & Lunch: $13 Members | $17 Non-Members
Film Tickets: $8 Members | $12 Non-Members
No Reservations Required – Box office opens at noon.
NR | 2 hours, 2 minutes
Based on Henry James' novel, Merchant-Ivory's The Bostonians tells the story of Olive Chancellor, a 19th-century Boston woman dedicated to the suffrage movement who takes Verena Tarrant, a radical young woman, under her wing. But her cousin, is a male chauvinist who wants to marry and domesticate the young woman and a battle of wills ensues over her future. Stars Christopher Reeve and Vanessa Redgrave
”The Bostonians is, from its opening shot to last, a rare delight, a high comedy with tragic undertones, acted to passionate perfection by a cast of the best actors ever assembled by the Merchant-Ivory-Jhabvala team.”
– Vincent Canby, New York Times
“The Bostonians is one of their most overlooked films, transforming James’s original into a wrenching melodrama, as a paranoid feminist and a charming chauvinist battle for the soul of a young woman.”
– Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
R | 2 hours, 13 minutes
When Anne (Julie Christie) discovers a long-forgotten family scandal involving her deceased grandmother, Olivia (Greta Scacchi), she decides to investigate further by traveling to the scene of the crime: India. In the 1920s, Olivia had been married to an official in the colonial government, but had an affair with an Indian man that resulted in an abortion and disgrace. By coincidence, Anne also finds herself conducting an affair with an Indian man, and faces similar social prejudice.
“After 37 years, Heat and Dust stands up as an intelligent, ambitious, substantial picture – with flaws but also intriguing aspects that were perhaps not sufficiently understood at the time.”
– Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
“Heat and Dust contains wonderful sights and sounds and textures. It is seductive, treating both of its love stories with seriousness; these are not romances, but decisions to dissent.”
– Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
PG | 2 hours, 20 minutes
A superbly-mounted adaptation of E.M. Forster's tale of British class tension, with exceptional performances all round, Howard's End ranks among the best of Merchant-Ivory's work. Set in the early 20th century, class distinctions and troubled relations affect the relationship between two families and the ownership of a cherished British estate. Helen Schlegel falls for Paul Wilcox, but is rebuffed. Her sister Margaret becomes friends with his mother, who promises her the family house, Howards End. Unfortunately, after her death, the will disappears, and it seems the inheritance will disappear. Until the widower, Henry Wilcox, becomes attracted to Margaret.
“From start to finish, Howards End is a sumptuous visual delight. But the beauty of this film is far more than skin deep.”
– Jeff Menell, The Hollywood Reporter
“Deeply romantic, political, emotion-led, respectful of music and literature, impeccably dressed and, in one of the characters’ own words, “overexpressive”.”
– Simran Hans, Observer (UK)