The Remains of the Day (film)

The Remains of the Day is a 1993 drama film adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. It was directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant, Mike Nichols and John Calley. It starred Anthony Hopkins as Stevens and Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton with James Fox, Christopher Reeve, Hugh Grant and Ben Chaplin. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards.

The film flashes back to Kentons arrival as housekeeper in the 1930s. The ever efficient Stevens manages the household well, taking great pride in profession, and his dedication is fully displayed when, while his father lies dying, he steadfastly continues his duties. Kenton also proves to be a valuable servant, and she is equally efficient and strongwilled, but also warmer and less repressed. Relations between the two eventually warm, and it becomes clear that she has feelings for him, yet despite their proximity and shared purpose, Stevens detachment remains unchanged. Eventually, she forms a relationship with a former coworker and leaves the house prior to the outbreak of World War II. Before resigning, Stevens finds her crying in frustration, but the only response he can muster is to call her attention to a neglected domestic task.Meanwhile, the hall is regularly frequented by politicians of the interwar period, and many of Lord Darlingtons guests are likeminded British and European aristocrats, with the exception of Congressman Lewis. Darlington later also meets Prime Minister Chamberlain and the German Ambassador, and uses his influence to try and broker a policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany, based on his belief that Germany had been unfairly treated by the Treaty of Versailles following World War I. In the midst of these events, one day Darlington suddenly requests that two newly appointed GermanJewish maids should be dismissed. Stevens carries out the command, and Kenton threatens resignation in protest, but she is too timid to do so. ........

Source: Wikipedia