84 Charing Cross Road

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Helene Hanff's book 84 Charing Cross Road had previously been a TV program and a stage play before it was converted into this 1986 film. The scene is New York, 1949: Anne Bancroft plays a struggling writer and passionate bibliophile, who answers an advertisement from a rare-volumes bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. Thus begins a two-decade romance by correspondence between Bancroft and Briton Anthony Hopkins, the man in charge of the overseas department of Marks and Company. Though several meetings are arranged, Bancroft and Hopkins never come face to face thanks to mitigating circumstances. But Anne finally makes it to London, and finds that much has changed. 84 Charing Cross Road was produced by Mel Brooks, the husband of star Anne Bancroft. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Subtitle: Mult
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Screen: Pan and Scan
• Audio: MONO
• Features:
  • Digitally mastered audio & video
  • Full-screen presentation
  • Audio: English
  • Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai
  • Bonus trailers
  • Interactive menus
  • Scene selections

AWARDS

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts

•     Won Best Actress - 1987 (Anne Bancroft)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Anne Bancroft - Helene Hanff
       Anthony Hopkins - Frank Doel
       Judi Dench - Nora Doel
       Jean de Baer - Maxine Bellamy
       Maurice Denham - George Martin
       Eleanor David - Cecily Farr
       Daniel Gerroll - Brian
       Wendy Morgan - Megan Wells
       Ian McNeice - Bill Humphries
       J. Smith - Cameron - Ginny
       Tom Isbell - Ed
       Anne Dyson - Mrs. Boulton

• Director:

  David Jones

• Producer:

  Geoffrey Helman

• Screenwriter:

  Hugh Whitemore

• Book Author:

  Helene Hanff

• Cinematographer:

  Brian West

• Composer (Music Score):

  George Fenton

• Editor:

  Chris Wimble

• Production Designer:

  Eileen Diss, Gary Levy, Edward Pisoni

• Associate Producer:

  Jo Lustig

• Executive Producer:

  Mel Brooks

• Costume Designer:

  Jane Greenwood, Lindy Hemming

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  David John, Gary Alper

• First Assistant Director:

  Mark McGann, Jake Wright

• Casting:

  Judy Courtney, Marilyn Johnson

REVIEW:

• It's hard to build an entire film around charm, but this is essentially what the makers of 84 Charing Cross Road have done. How well they have succeeded will likely depend upon one's appreciation of -- or tolerance for -- the two characters who make up the core of the film. Epistolary in nature, director David Jones has done an admirable job of opening up the static story, finding ways of framing the constant voice-overs by placing the characters in different settings or situations. Hugh Whitemore's screenplay also helps; while there is still little action, he provides pithy, witty dialogue and delineates two strongly defined characters. Ultimately, of course, the film rises or falls on the actors who portray its characters, and there are no complaints here. Anne Bancroft brings her special brand of spunkiness and feistiness to the role, as well as her ability to twist unsuspected emotions from seemingly neutral sentences. Anthony Hopkins' skill and artistry are given free rein here, resulting in a delightfully understated and extremely effective performance. Although the supporting cast -- especially Judi Dench -- is quite good, it's Bancroft and Hopkins who matter here, and they do not disappoint. Even they, however, are unable to overcome the limitations of the film's basic concept. As a result, Charing Cross fails to totally satisfy, despite its charms. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi