This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present; the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War II. Reunited with the filmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton; the head housekeeper; and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens; the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master; Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany; Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war; and; most effectively; his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression; but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master; Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties; although his is an emotional deprivation; possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. There's so much going on in this film; and yet the action is skillfully depicted through understanding and knowing glances; through emotions expressed only through eye contact. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations; this film is sumptuous to look at; capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Excellent in supporting roles are Christopher Reeve; Ben Chaplin; and Hugh Grant. --N.F. Mendoza