Yet, every now and then the modern world intrudes: a crew member sporting a Guns’n’Roses t-shirt (probably a first for Simpsons) is removing light switches a warning to switch of mobile phones cuts through the hubbub of polite chatter as the camera is ready to roll. To the eye, it is a perfect recreation of turn of the century London, full of period finery, traditional décor and an air of polite chatter. Today’s scene is set in Simpson’s-In-The-Strand, one of London’s oldest restaurants - in fact the head waiter has schooled the extras in the correct way to serve and clear the table. He is emotionally constipated but she is able to transcend this.” “He doesn’t have the emotional awareness to reach out,” says Atwell.

It’s this relationship that forms the core of the story, a classic clash of opposites. When the document goes missing, all seems lost until Henry starts to show a romantic interest in Margaret. Wilcox (Julia Ormond) who promises her the family home, Howards End, in her will. It follows three families who represent different stratas of British society the rich capitalist Wilcoxes, the progressive middle class Schlegel sisters and the Basts, a young couple from a lower class. Forster come across so clearly.”Ĭo-star Matthew Macfadyen, who plays fat cat Henry Wilcox, has a more succinct take on Lonergan’s handi-work.įirst published in 1910, Edward Morgan Forster’s book is a snapshot of England at the turn of the century. “Even the dashes, pauses and interruptions are incredibly well thought out so the punchline lands. “What’s great about that is that Kenny has taken a lot of dialogue directly from the book but he has done that very beautifully and very economically,” says Hayley Atwell who stars as free-thinking Margaret Schlegel.

Howards end edward morgan forster