In which the Mister joins me in reviewing MERCHANT IVORY (2023), from director Stephen Soucy, and writers Stephen Soucy and Jon Hart. The 2024 documentary "Merchant Ivory" explores the remarkable professional and personal partnership between director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant. It delves into their unique filmmaking process, often characterized by shoestring budgets and on-set drama, which nevertheless produced a string of acclaimed, literary-adapted films. Through interviews with James Ivory and numerous collaborators like Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves, Simon Callow, Vanessa Redgrave and others, the film celebrates their enduring legacy in independent and arthouse cinema. It also sheds light on their discreet romantic relationship and the "wandering company" they created over four decades. We caught the film on @tcm but it's also available to buy/rent on Prime Video. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
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Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library