Boston, 1875; Basil Ransome (Christopher Reeve), a Mississippi lawyer, is visiting his cousin (Vanessa Redgrave) who takes him to a meeting held by women’s-rights activists where he falls for the movement’s most promising speaker, Verena Tarrant (Madeleine Potter). A story ripe with conflict, as both Basil and Olive are in love with Verena and the girl doesn’t know whom to choose; it’s also a battle between conservatism and modern ideas. Not one of James Ivory’s best films (or Henry James’s most highly esteemed novels) – the story is repetitious, but Redgrave stands out in the cast.
1984-U.S. 120 min. Color. Produced by Ismail Merchant. Directed by James Ivory. Screenplay: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Novel: Henry James. Costume Design: Jenny Beavan, John Bright. Cast: Christopher Reeve (Basil Ransome), Vanessa Redgrave (Olive Chancellor), Madeleine Potter (Verena Tarrant), Jessica Tandy, Nancy Marchand, Wesley Addy… Linda Hunt, Wallace Shawn.
Trivia: Glenn Close was allegedly considered for a part.