A Director’s Eye: the Craft of Storytelling

Read Time:3 Minute, 43 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Merchant Ivory
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 52m
Director(s): Stephen Soucy
Where To Watch: opens in select theaters on August 30, 2024, and expands beginning September 6

RAVING REVIEW: MERCHANT IVORY portrays James Ivory and Ismail Merchant's cinematic journey, showcasing how their collaboration wasn't just groundbreaking and a genuine labor of love. Directed with a unique vision and care by Stephen Soucy, this documentary transcends the typical biopic format by interlacing the duo's professional milestones with their intricacies in life and love. The film celebrates their artistry and partnership, treating both aspects with the deference they richly deserve. The film looks inside Merchant Ivory Productions and some of the 44 films they created together.

Right from the outset, the documentary transports us to various cultural hubs like New York and Paris, where so many of those who've worked with or were influenced by Ivory and Merchant share their experiences. These interviews provide a multifaceted glimpse into their projects' aesthetics and depth of their productions and life stories. Soucy balances the energy of Merchant's production style against Ivory's thoughtful directing techniques, illustrating how their contrasting approaches meshed to create timeless cinema.

At the heart of MERCHANT IVORY is exploring the personal and professional relationship between the two men. The narrative delves into their harmonious and sometimes tumultuous interactions, enriched by personal recollections from actors like Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter. Their testimonials add a personal touch, revealing the complexities of the duo's working relationship and the profound impact it had on their film output. The script challenges encountered, particularly with screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, highlighted how her profound narratives added emotional depth to films such as A ROOM WITH A VIEW and HOWARD'S END, despite the occasional creative friction.

The documentary focuses on their professional lives and provides a candid look at their dynamics on and off-set. As partners in life and art, Ivory and Merchant navigated both realms with a grace seldom recognized publicly due to the conservative norms of their time. Soucy addresses this aspect with sensitivity, offering insight into how their relationship shaped their creative endeavors and left a lasting legacy in their work.

MERCHANT IVORY goes beyond mere celebration, positioning its films as visually stunning and narrative trailblazers that challenge societal conventions. Their status as outsiders—Ivory, an American in the British film scene, and Merchant, an Indian Muslim in the West—allowed them to craft stories that pushed the boundaries of mainstream cinema and broadened audiences' horizons.

The documentary is honest about the highs and lows of their career, portraying their challenges not as mere setbacks but as essential elements of their journey. It underscores their resilience and dedication to their craft, even in the face of commercial and critical challenges, which solidified their standing in the film industry.

MERCHANT IVORY is a masterful documentary that provides a comprehensive and intimate look at one of cinema's most influential partnerships. Soucy's extensive research and nuanced storytelling render a documentary as informative as it engages and appeals to movie buffs and casual viewers. It's a testament to the enduring power of collaborative creativity and a reminder of the profound impact that dedicated artistry can have on the cinematic landscape.

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[photo courtesy of COHEN MEDIA GROUP]

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