--- title: "Maurice: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/maurice/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/maurice" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Maurice (1987): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 11 reviews: 6 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews lean favourable on Maurice, with praise clustering around its emotional sensitivity, performances and patient handling of repressed desire. Admirers find the adaptation intelligent and moving, attentive to the pain and pleasure of Maurice’s self-discovery. James Wilby draws repeated praise for an unaffected, convincing performance, while Hugh Grant and the supporting cast also receive favourable notice. Several critics argue that the romance retains its power, with some finding it more affecting over time. Reservations concern the film’s caution and the strength of its central performance. Variety finds Wilby merely adequate and outshone by the supporting cast. Radio Times considers the treatment of homosexuality too gingerly, whereas Eye for Film praises the explicit portrayal of male bodies. The recorded responses range from measured approval to strong enthusiasm, with none negative, though three entries lack accessible verdicts and cannot establish the reasons behind their scores. ## Los Angeles Times — Kevin Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 1 June 2017. Thomas calls the film well-nigh flawless and a remarkably faithful, perceptive adaptation. He especially praises James Wilby’s unaffected performance and the graceful script’s treatment of Maurice’s self-discovery. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-mini-maurice-review-20170601-story.html) ## Sight and Sound — Claire Tomalin Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 25 July 2018. Tomalin finds the film a subtle, intelligent, moving success that would have pleased Forster. She especially praises James Wilby’s performance and the film’s fidelity to the novel’s mixture of joy and pain. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/maurice-archive-review-merchant-ivorys-double-love-story-would-give-em-forster-great-pleasure) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 July 2018. Bradshaw calls the film a revelation whose fascination and power have only grown over time. He praises the emotionally charged scene where Alec confronts Maurice in London and their hurt feelings emerge. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/26/maurice-review-merchant-ivory-em-forster-hugh-grant-james-wilby) ## Empire — empire Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The review calls the film one of Merchant Ivory’s finest. It praises its rich atmosphere and patient attention to repressed passions. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/maurice-review/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint is available from the blocked content. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/maurice-1987) ## The New York Times — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 18 September 1987. The page is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be verified. No specific praise or complaint can be reliably identified from the available text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/18/movies/film-maurice-in-style-of-ivory-and-merchant.html) ## Time Out — MS Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page identifies this as Time Out’s review of the 1987 film. The available metadata gives no critical verdict or specific praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/maurice) ## Radio Times — Adrian Turner Rating 3/5. The review is measured rather than wholly enthusiastic, suggesting the adaptation handles its subject matter gingerly. It singles out the film’s cautious treatment of homosexuality as a weakness. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-w3778k/maurice/) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1986. The review finds the film well-crafted but not among Forster’s best work, and says James Wilby’s performance is adequate rather than exceptional. It praises the supporting cast, especially for outshining Wilby. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1986/film/reviews/maurice-1200427182/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 22 July 2018. Kermode finds the film a moving, intelligent landmark that remains relevant. She especially praises Ivory’s unusually explicit, beautiful portrayal of male bodies. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/maurice-1987-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film an enduring, unabashedly pro-gay romance that has improved with age. Hugh Grant and James Wilby are singled out for convincing performances. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/maurice-4k-restoration-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/maurice.md