Critical Reception and Awards
The film was universally praised. The film currently has 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, a site that tracks down movie reviews posted by both critics and audiences and its consensus states: "Smart, elegant, and blessed with impeccable performances from Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, The Remains of the Day is a Merchant-Ivory classic." Roger Ebert particularly praised the film and called it "a subtle, thoughtful movie." In his review for The Washington Post, Desson Howe gave the film a favourable review, and said of it "Put Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson and James Fox together and you can expect sterling performances," praising their work in the film. Vincent Canby of The New York Times said, in another favourable review, "Here's a film for adults. It's also about time to recognize that Mr. Ivory is one of our finest directors, something that critics tend to overlook because most of his films have been literary adaptations." The film was also nominated for eight Academy Awards:
| Award | Lost to |
|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Leading Role (Anthony Hopkins) | Tom Hanks (Philadelphia) |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role (Emma Thompson) | Holly Hunter (The Piano) |
| Best Art Direction-Set Decoration | Allan Starski and Ewa Braun (Schindler's List) |
| Best Costume Design | Gabriella Pescucci (The Age of Innocence) |
| Best Director | Steven Spielberg (Schindler's List) |
| Best Music, Original Score | John Williams (Schindler's List) |
| Best Picture | Schindler's List |
| Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium | Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List) |
Read more about this topic: The Remains Of The Day (film)
Famous quotes containing the words critical and/or reception:
“The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done; men and women who are creative, inventive and discoverers, who can be critical and verify, and not accept, everything they are offered.”
—Jean Piaget (1896–1980)
“I gave a speech in Omaha. After the speech I went to a reception elsewhere in town. A sweet old lady came up to me, put her gloved hand in mine, and said, “I hear you spoke here tonight.” “Oh, it was nothing,” I replied modestly. “Yes,” the little old lady nodded, “that’s what I heard.””
—Gerald R. Ford (b. 1913)