The Wings of the Dove (1997)

Historical drama adapted from the 1902 Henry James novel and directed by Iain Softley. 

The wealthy American heiress Milly (Alison Elliott) is dying. Her friend Kate (Helena Bonham-Carter) schemes to inherit her money via a love triangle with her boyfriend Merton (Linus Roache). But inevitably things don’t go to plan. 

It's enjoyable but there are a couple of flaws. The first is that Milly never seems especially unwell. The second is that Merton doesn’t seem charming enough to have two women in love with him. What’s the appeal?

In places, more depth was needed to explore characters and their motivations. For example, Kate’s strict, stuffy aunt (Charlotte Rampling) is something of a caricature without being fully explained. This may be because the novel had to be condensed for the screen. 

That said, it's lavishly shot and generally well acted.

A Room with a View (1985)

Produced by the Merchant Ivory team, this adaptation of E.M. Forster's 1908 novel is arguably the ultimate costumer.

A young woman named Lucy Honeychurch navigates relationship troubles and the social restrictions of Edwardian England.

Helena Bonham Carter is immensely lovable in the main role.

There's so much subtle, gentle wit on display, and the Italian locations look lavish.

Surprisingly, Forster seems to work much better on film than on the page (see also Howard's End, which also starred H.B.C.). Rich and vibrant characters come alive through a sparkling script. Simon Callow is excellent as the Reverend Mr Beebe. Judi Dench is also on top form as the novelist Eleanor Lavish. 

The rest of the all-star cast includes Julian Sands, Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Howards End (1992)

Brilliant adaptation of E.M. Forster’s so-so classic novel. Directed by James Ivory, it seems more nuanced and subtle than the book. The actors are skilled enough to bring out a sense of humanity that is rarely evident in Forster’s rather cold prose. 

The plot is thus summarised by Google: “Helen Schlegel falls for Paul Wilcox, but is rebuffed. Her sister Margaret becomes friends with his mother, who promises her the family house, Howards End. Unfortunately, after her death, the will disappears and it appears the inheritance will disappear. Until the widower, Henry Wilcox, becomes attracted to Margaret.”

It’s a tale about class and prejudice. 

Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham-Carter and Anthony Hopkins are superb as the primary characters, with Thompson in particular delivering an astounding performance. She also acted alongside Hopkins in Remains of the Day (1993), and the two seem made to work together. There are also roles for Vanessa Redgrave, Jemma Redgrave and Prunella Scales.

There are some slightly odd cuts and edits, but these actually work to punctuate the story and provide narrative focus.

The King’s Speech (2010)

King George VI (Colin Firth) has a crippling stammer. Lionel Logue, an Australian speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush), tries to help him overcome it. The film studies their complex, evolving relationship against the ticking time bomb that is Britain's impending declaration of war on Germany in 1939. Helena Bonham Carter is subtle and witty as the king’s wife (later to be known as the Queen Mother). Guy Pearce is also strong as Edward VIII, who abdicated to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Where Angels Fear to Tread (1991)

Dire. Had the feel of a stilted TV movie. Unbearable, despite the presence of Helen Mirren and Helena Bonham Typecast. The latter has gone a long way by pouting in a bonnet, but it’s not enough to redeem her here.

Cinderella (2015)

“Have courage and be kind” is the simple message behind this live-action Disney film. It’s incredibly faithful to the original fairytale. I found it immensely powerful to see a story I’ve known all my life suddenly unfolding before my eyes in a newly visualised manner. And the magical scenes were sublime. The highlight was when the coach and horses began breaking down into the pumpkin, mice and lizards that they had been magicked from. Lily James plays it straight in the title role, Helena Bonham Carter is pretty good as the quirky fairy godmother and Cate Blanchett has fun hamming it up as the wicked stepmother.