REVIEW: ‘Merchant Ivory’ looks back at decades of cinematic art
Photo: From left, Ismail Merchant and James Ivory created a filmography under the Merchant Ivory name. Photo courtesy of Merchant Ivory / Provided by MPRM with permission.
The new documentary Merchant Ivory, which is featured at this week’s Palm Springs International Film Festival, follows the careers of director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant, two partners in life and the art of filmmaking. The film, expertly directed by Stephen Soucy, is divided into chapters that highlight the many triumphs of the Merchant Ivory brand, plus many of the struggles along the way. There are moving passages about Merchant Ivory’s adaptation of classic E.M. Forster novels and how Merchant constantly scrambled for money to pull off these indie successes. Spoiler alert: The intrepid producer always found a way to keep the production moving along, allowing Ivory’s vision to come to life.
There are also many scenes and conversations about what it was like for Merchant and Ivory to be a gay couple working in an industry and world that didn’t always accept them. Some of the issues in their own life were also featured in the movies that Merchant Ivory made throughout the years. They may have created historical dramas, but the underlying themes were very much of contemporary times.
What’s so masterful about Merchant Ivory is the chance to hear from on-screen talent and behind-the-scenes creatives on the experience of making some of the best films of the 20th century. There are interesting, thoughtful ruminations about Maurice, A Room With a View, The Remains of the Day and many others. There are intelligent conversations about the art of adapting classic novels into worthy screenplays, and the assembled actors sound off on their characters and their working relationships with Ivory and Merchant. From Helena Bonham Carter to Hugh Grant to Rupert Graves and Emma Thompson, the actors that Soucy is able to talk with are quite impressive (no Anthony Hopkins unfortunately, but his acting work is prominently displayed).
Perhaps the most important interview featured in Merchant Ivory is of Ivory himself. He talks openly about these cinematic gems and his life with Merchant, a life that wasn’t always easy, but did remain loving and productive. Frequent collaborator Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, a novelist and screenwriter of the highest order, is also discussed, along with the work of composer Richard Robbins. Together this quartet produced remarkable pictures that have withstood the test of time.
In fact, the Merchant Ivory oeuvre seems more important than ever. With today’s movie business so enamored with IP and sequelization, it’s tough to find classic adaptations like this indie film company was able to pump out, almost on a yearly basis. Perhaps some people can poke fun at the dated nature of costume dramas, but these films showcased historical accuracy, emotional authenticity and sweeping visuals that are still mesmerizing to behold. They stand out because unfortunately the industry doesn’t welcome these types of films anymore, and to think that they were made on a shoestring budget.
Merchant Ivory is a touching and beautifully rendered look at an artistic and personal collaboration that spanned decades and gave the world so much to enjoy, ponder and celebrate. The movies — Howards End, Mr. & Mrs. Bridge and Shakespeare Wallah, among others — are gifts to future generations of cinephiles, and this exquisite documentary is an additional feature to add to the canon. Audiences learn that the magic wasn’t actually magic at all. These films were created because a small team of dedicated professionals stayed focused on their creative passion and love for storytelling.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Merchant Ivory, directed by Stephen Soucy, plays Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Running time: 110 minutes. Click here for more information and tickets. Rating: 
