English Literature Revisited

When there is nothing to entice me to the dollar movie, I stay home and watch older movies I have purchased from Joy Junction for $1.00 or I rent them from the library for free.

This week a friend and I watched a film made in 1987 with two of our favorite actors, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Judi Dench, called "84 Charing Cross Road."

Although the author, Helene Hanff, took many artistic liberties while writing this book in 1970, it is based on her true story - about an American publisher who purchases classics and collectible books from a bookstore in London, and through their letters of twenty years, develops intimate and caring relationships with Frank, the chief buyer and his wife (Judi Dench), and all of the bookstore employees.

Obsessed with the English classics and knowledge of such that would put us all to shame, she orders them from a quaint little shop that specializes in out of print books. A friendship and intelligent and funny conversations ensue in the form of letters. Historical facts are enticingly visited such as Winston Churchill, the coronation of the Queen and the black market of food during World War II.

Anne Bancroft (The Graduate) plays Helene and narrates the movie wonderfully. Helene's tough, witty and sometimes sarcastic demeanor was creatively captured by Bancroft, who I imagine was very much like her character in real life.

We were both surprised at how much we enjoyed this movie. I highly recommend it. There is a little romance, a lovely drama and Anthony Hopkins at his best (and also with hair).


Trivia

The bookstore was called Marks and Co., and is now a local bar so the store was built on a sound stage in London. There is a plaque on the bar wall commemorating the book.