A Room With a View

A Room witha View (19850) directed by James Ivory is an interesting movie based obviously on the novel written by Edward Morgan Forster. The movie portrays, in perfect manner, the liberal social behaviors against the ideals during the Queen Victoria’s reign. The title alone foreshadows what the strory will be about.  It begins in Florence Italy were Lucy Honeychurch,  chaperoned by her cousin and old maid Charlotte,  are staying at a guest house in a room with a view towards the park-side, while the Emerson’s (father and son) who have more liberal ideas that contradict the social norms present in the English society, have a room with a view towards the river. Later at dinner the Emerson offer to exchange rooms, which Charlotte took as lack of tact and propriety. During their stay, George Emerson and Lucy practically fall in love, but keep their sentiments hidden especially because of what society might say. 

Lucy is a passionate woman that through her ability playing the piano and what Mr. Beebs said: "If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it will be very exciting both for us and for her," gives us a foreshadowing of what’s to come.  Even though from a high society and chaperoned by a Charlotte who tries to uphold what is said to be “proper” , Lucy somehow finds the understanding ad comprehension of the newly and liberal ideas the Emerson’s have which are contradicted by the character of Cecil Vyse, Lucy’s fiance, who would come to represent the social codes of that time.

Through the whole movie the conflict that Lucy and George had was based on facing the social consequences that would come if they decided to accept publicly their feelings towards each other. By Lucy’s part she was risking her social status by breaking an engagement with a well-recognized gentleman from the upper class and marrying a man from a lower class. From George’s side Lucy meant a purpose and the fulfillment of a joyful life and, plus, he would also be marrying someone from a higher class.    

The Emerson’s idea of life was directed toward the enjoyment and the beauty of life itself and little matter the codes and prohibitions the society had established as principles.  They let life go as it may and were open to the challenges it brought.  

There were certain stereotypical ideas of how each class in the English society at that time had to act. The differentiation between gender was clear and to pass the line of misbehavior could lead to an ‘out-casting’. Thus even though Charlotte tried to uphold those codes together with Cecil, Lucy acted in a proper manner but secretly, and maybe unconscious at the beginning, admired the way of thinking of the Emerson.  

We can see through the movie the whole process and development of Lucy from indecision at the beginning to total fulfillment at the end when she decides to finally show her feelings for George.