Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Bill Murray | ... | Larry Darrell | |
Theresa Russell | ... | Sophie MacDonald | |
Catherine Hicks | ... | Isabel Bradley | |
Denholm Elliott | ... | Elliott Templeton | |
James Keach | ... | Gray Maturin | |
Peter Vaughan | ... | Mackenzie | |
Brian Doyle-Murray | ... | Piedmont | |
Stephen Davies | ... | Malcolm | |
Saeed Jaffrey | ... | Raaz | |
Faith Brook | ... | Louisa Bradley (Isabel's mother) | |
André Maranne | ... | Joseph, the Butler (as Andre Maranne) | |
Bruce Boa | ... | Henry Maturin | |
Serge Feuillard | ... | Coco | |
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Joris Stuyck | ... | Bob MacDonald |
Helen Horton | ... | Red Cross lady |
Larry Darrell returns from the battlefields of World War I to America a different person. His fiance (Isabel) resigns herself to a delay in the wedding plans when Larry heads off to Paris. There he finds he prefers a simpler existence and begins to read. One book inspires him to visit India and on to Nepal where he finds spiritual help from a lama. On returning to Paris he finds Isabel and some old friends. Everyone has changed. Written by Rob Hartill
This is one of those films that defines the difference between a "film" and a "movie". Maugham, in print form, often drags; Murray's senses of humor and timing eschew that hurdle and make a beautiful story of growth and epiphany accessible in just two short hours.
The "test" aspect for me here is simple and a bit autocratic, if not downright arrogant as Hell; I don't want to know well anyone who does not appreciate this film.