James Ivory’s version of Henry James’ novel The Europeans is adapted to the screen by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and produced by Ivory’s longtime partner (both professionally and personally) Ismail Merchant.
Lee Remick plays The Countess Eugenia who, along with her brother Robert (Robin Ellis), are expatriate Americans in Europe.
They have also grown accustomed to living well and have returned to see their New England relatives to try and take advantage of their prosperity by contracting an advantageous marriage with one of their wealthy cousins.
The American cousins see them as charming, well-educated, and dissolute.
Despite some successes, Eugenia is unable to achieve her goals, but Robert fares better.
Stately, picturesque, tasteful but dull, The Europeans is Masterpiece Theater on the big screen.
Running time: 90 minutes.
Directed By: James Ivory
Written By: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Released: May 1, 1979
DVD: August 19, 2003
Oscar Nominations: 1
Costume Design: Judy Moorcroft
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner was Albert Wolsky for All That Jazz