84 Charing Cross Road

1987, Rated PG, 100 minutes, Directed by David Jones, Written by Hugh Whitemore based on play by James Roose-Evans based on book by Helene Hanff, Produced by Geoffrey Helman, Cinematography by Brian West, Original Music by George Fenton

With: Anne Bancroft (Helen Hanff), Anthony Hopkins (Frank P. Doel), Judi Dench (Nora Doel

I do not often come across a movie that is about the love of books. As a book lover myself I was very intrigued about a movie that was about letters written between a British bookseller and a New York writer. What made it intriguing, unfortunately was also  not quite right for film. Almost the entire movie is letters being read as the actors silently act out their emotions. It is an interesting concept that makes the movie mildly entertaining but by no means take your breath away exciting.

Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft), a New York City writer, has a unique love of British literature. Not only that she loves used books. She runs into a problem, however, when she realizes she either cannot find the books she is looking for in the States or they are simply too expensive. So she does what any self respecting consumer would do-- she looks to outsource. She finds a used bookshop in Britain, Marks & Co., run by Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins). In the days before internet she writes a letter inquiring about certain books. And so launches a decades long relationship between the two as she sarcastically scathes and praises him for his collection and he politely does all he can to get her the books she wants. It turns into a relationship not just between those two but the entire staff at Marks & Co. and Frank’s family as well. 

The idea and concept, as I said before, is neat. It was enjoyable to watch a simple film about books. It almost made me feel guilty for turning on the television to watch the movie when such great literature is waiting to be picked up. The relationships extended beyond mere commerce and became instead a personal journey through the late 40s to the 60s. The times changed but the letters kept coming and the books were always sent. Not only to books get a rare spotlight in a movie but you also get to see the  difference in culture, at least the film’s interpretation of it: Helene is an outspoken and very loud American who wants her way and will do and say whatever it takes to get them. Frank is a reserved and polite British proprietor with a great sense of courteousness. It does seem that these personalities are quite exaggerated.

Sure the concept is entertaining but it is also the film’s downfall. Very little happens in the film except for the letters. The letters are read in a voice over throughout the film so that you can experience it the way the characters would. I will just say there were a lot of letters. This also means the actors had very little to do in the film. With two great stars in Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft there could have been wonderful acting demonstrated on the screen. Unfortunately, the actors seemed to have a different perspective on it. All they had to do was silently act as their voiceover was paid so really they just had to show up. Anthony Hopkins was especially over the top in this acting and also greatly exaggerated the reserved British gentleman to the point that he hardly said anything to great length. I can imagine it made for a great read and a wonderful play but the material is simply not enough to transfer over to the silver screen.

I enjoyed watching the movie: it was light and easy to follow, a multi-tasking movie if you will (that is you could easily perform another task while watching the film). It  simply does not take you away into another world and entrance you with the magic of 

cinema. Perhaps it’s time to go read a book.

B-

Content Advisory

relatively little to advise about

Food for thought/discussion

1. Dench’s character Nora, confesses to at one time being jealous of Helene’s relationship with Frank? Was she justified in that jealousy? Discuss the relationship between Helene and Frank.

2. Is this movie a commentary on British and American culture and personality?

3. What seems to motivate Frank throughout the film?