After the sweeping, noble scale of Gandhi(1982) and Cry Freedom(1987), Richard Attenborough directed this more intimate drama which remains one of his best pictures to date.
Based on William Nicholson’s play, it charts the tragic love affair between the author CS Lewis, creator of the Narnia Chronicles, and Joy Gresham, an American poet.
Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger give perfect performances. The tone is set by Winger’s entrance into Oxford’s Randolph Hotel: “Anyone here named Loowis?” she rasps – upsetting the decorum of academe and rattling Hopkins’s teacup – and thereafter, Hopkins’s life as an emotionally frigid bachelor is transformed.
With its immaculate 1950s setting, the film creates a totally convincing world and Attenborough gets beneath the skin of his characters like never before.
CS “Jack” Lewis
Anthony Hopkins Joy Gresham
Debra Winger Christopher Riley
John Wood Warnie Lewis
Edward Hardwicke Douglas Gresham
Joseph Mazzello Desmond Arding
Julian Fellowes Arnold Dopliss
Roddy Maude-Roxby Harry Harrington
Michael Denison Doctor Craig
Peter Firth Bob Chafer
Andrew Seear Nick Farrell
Tim McMullan Rupert Parrish
Andrew Hawkins College president
Peter Howell Claude Bird
Robert Flemyng Peter Whistler
James Frain Frith
Toby Whithouse
Director
Richard Attenborough
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