A very good-looking film from Merchant-Ivory, it is well shot with excellent choices of lighting, and the sets and costumes are as good as would be expected. Once again Richard Robbins takes to writing the music for the film and he does an excellent job, composing music that fits the film and is also beautiful on its own. However, there is not much else that is noteworthy about this production other than the technical aspects. Sure, the film manages to say a few things on coping with homosexuality during a rigid, traditionalist period in the history of Britain, however the storyline is far too drawn out, making the film more than just slightly too long. It also injects a second romance that is underdeveloped and most of the supporting characters are only lightly developed themselves. There is an interesting small supporting role for Ben Kingsley, but otherwise the acting is a tad bland. Do not be mistaken though - this is certainly a good film, especially of its type - just not nearly as perfectly made as some of Merchant-Ivory's future films would turn out to be.
