Howard's End: Henry's Proposal

Henry proposes to Margaret

[@MuppetMollyStarGleek]

FINALLY the kiss I needed. Remains of the Day SATISFACTION AT LAST!

[@foksmolderofisal3925]

💯

[@nicolesong6199]

Lmfao big mood

[@lilginger4701]

The relief I needed

[@allergic5]

That dress is so beautiful and Emma looks breathtaking. The way she goes down those stairs, perfect.

[@Elaine32909]

Agree but much too thin

[@jameswalker6864]

Disagree. Emma doesn't look breathtaking, she's famous due to her brilliant and magnificent performance skills, not her beauty (as she's not "spectacular" in terms of looks but rather quite average). I know beauty is largely subjective, and many will find her attractive, but there're like millions of women more attractive than her. See, for instance, Vivien Leigh, another British actress. She's is really brrathtaking. See Audrey Hepburn too. Emma has never been a beauty icon, but simply acknowledged as a superb actress.

[@jameswalker6864]

Okay, I retract my previous comment. Now that I think so, as beauty is largely in the eye of the beholder, you can call Emma breathtaking, Anthony Hopkins breathtaking, and literally anyone you want breathtaking. Peace to everyone.

[@ANFeuerstahl]

Ellegance at its most ! Sometimes I don't really think Emma Thompson exists. She's so amazing that's almost unreal.

[@da96103]

Henry: I am asking you to marry me. Margaret: That's not the line. Anthony: Emma, we are at Howard's End, not Remains of the Day.

[@lunamothfitzpatrick7571]

What’s really interesting about this scene is that you can see how intelligent Margaret is. She can immediately tell he’s trying to propose, without him even asking.

[@vepallida]

Last night I watched "The remainds of the day", and I just could think: "kiss her, please, kiss her". Today I've watched this and the tears have clouded my eyes.

[@vampireducks1622]

But in this film he's a cruel, mean-minded, hypocritical dickwod - and utterly unworthy of Meg.

[@vinista256]

In the book, there isn’t even a kiss in the proposal scene. When he finally does kiss her, it’s very awkward and devoid of tenderness.

[@lukasmiller486]

@@vampireducks1622 he had his faults but he finally came round and provided for Helen and her child. He just needed a little push from Meg about the importance of forgiveness over family appearances.

[@squamish4244]

@@vampireducks1622 He changes, especially after his son goes to prison. And note that in the film, _she_ kisses _him._ Love that they added that. She should have done that in Remains of the Day too, dammit! And it was a generation later! Granted, in this film she plays a much more confident, upper-class character.

[@hospering]

This scene is like a beautiful and surprising dance, played by two of the best living actors, who have an incredible chemistry.

[@asb7395]

I love the subtle expressions of romantic interest on both their parts. At 0:05, you can see Henry pause at the top of the flight of stairs to gaze at Margaret without her noticing, while at 0:12 - 0:14, Margaret takes the opportunity to study Henry without his being aware of it.

[@jiulliasilva773]

Clever observation. That's why I love this scene.

[@thexxit]

This movie was so amazing. Emma deserved that Oscar even from this scene alone.

[@toomuchellison]

I'm sad? i watch this scene. I'm happy? I watch this scene. I just finished "The Remains of the Day" and feel dead inside? I DEFINITELY watch this scene.

[@Alfarc83]

1:52, the way she does the stairs, onlt that's worth an oscar.

[@cameronsmith1178]

Emma Thompson looks EXACTLY like Margaret as I imagined her, but for her ginger hair. Played wonderfully and all by the looks of it

[@etober1000]

Loved them in this together. Also loved Remains of the Day, but really, really hated it. It is one of the most painful movies I've ever seen in my life. But Anthony Hopkins is the greatest actor of our time and remains to be one of the sexiest men alive. I dare anyone to disagree.

[@nicolesong6199]

Oh good

[@squamish4244]

Remains of the Day is a horribly painful movie, like a Greek tragedy. Probably because it's a situation we can all put ourselves in, unlike war films or action films or meet-cute rom-coms, circumstances that most of us have never experienced. It's very personal. JUST DO SOMETHING, EITHER OF YOU!!!

[@Rinnnna]

I always loved her beautiful, beautiful face! And Anthony.. ughm, amazing.

[@estrellamarrone]

It's all about details. To me, the most powerful thing here is not the kiss, but how he tries gently to let her to stay holding her hand at 2.31. THAT is everything.

[@squamish4244]

Although Henry is later on shown to have some rather unpleasant qualities, after watching Remains of the Day I was glad to see a film where these two got together :)

[@BeEternallyYouthful]

This is the most romantic scene ever .. to pull a scene like this without young people is not easy. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@robynfindley7623]

Outstanding job again Emma Thompson.

[@Dorotii3107]

They look wonderful👏

[@ghostofyeats]

What a harrowing scene. I hated Henry Wilcox, but understood why Margaret Schlegel would marry him -- he bristles with a vitality that she, once again embodying "sense" rather than "sensibility," understands, respects, and appreciates. I understand also why Henry Wilcox would be so drawn to Margaret. I see him as someone who is enormously insecure (despite his hypermasculine facade), unceasingly needy, and never understanding why. Only someone with Margaret's intelligence and kindness, if she chose, could see all this and still tell him words to reassure him. It's a fraught match. Margaret could never sit well with his ready callousness, and Wilcox would scorn her "airy" intellectualisms. Forster was so astute in pointing out that these two contrasting and conflicting personalities and personality types - both on a personal and societal level - nevertheless need each other.

[@Paulco67]

I don’t think It’s harrowing at all. Marriages were often of mutual convenience and this is a perfect example. I don’t think he’s insecure. He’s very calculating.... anyway, an excellent movie and I hope you liked it!

[@squamish4244]

When Henry's facade breaks at the end of the story, Margaret, about to leave him, sees that he is more complex than the facade he has manufactured. That's the defining moment in their relationship. Now all pretense is gone, and their relationship is healthier for it.

[@Merseyrock]

Henry is callous and calculating; I dislike him for these virtues. Yet he secretely admires Margaret: Just how she balances intelligence with being kindly disposed and genuine: 'Pray, Charles, who is WE?' He confronts his son at the end of a meeting to discuss the fate of Howards End. 'I really can't have this sort of behaviour. Margaret. She's far too sweet-natured to mind, but I mind for her!' He wrestles and is tormented, having to embody hypocrisy himself, while feeling genuine reverence towards Margaret. For this, I like him.

[@gregorygibbs9551]

This is quite well-said, yet a mystery remains. Forster, like Shakespeare, expects someone else to complete his characters. An actress, an actor or the reader. Like the characters of De Maupassant the reader sometimes likes them more than the author seemed to have. It's not the money, it's not that she thinks she can draw him out of his shell. This is one of the cases where the reader doesn't like a character as well as another character of Forsters does. Margaret sees something in Henry I cannot.

[@goetzemj]

I love this movie its timeless.

[@JB-kn2zh]

Just watched the first two episodes of the miniseries which happened to be on. It was a lot more light and cheery. The atmosphere in this one from the clips I’ve seen is very different. I like the miniseries though, it’s pretty faithful to the book so far, but I definitely wanna watch the movie now too.

[@JB-kn2zh]

I just finished the book a week or so ago and the miniseries happened to be on.

[@TonyisManic]

That was exactly my thinking. I was so disappointed with the Remains of the Day, it made me cry.

[@dfa3366]

I love Merchant Ivory movies. They do it so well. A Room With A View, Maurice, Remains of the Day. Finally James Ivory won his 1st Oscar for adapting Call Me By Your Name after multiple nominations.

[@squamish4244]

RIP Julian Sands, who perished in bad weather while hiking in the San Bernadino Mountains in January 2023.

[@viz8746]

Henry is proposing from the top of the stairs whilst Margaret is at the bottom. The power structure in the relationship is clear.

[@mariebdo2703]

squamish4244 , I wish I could like your post but Google doesn't want me to... Anyway, the frustrated Remains of the Days fans are rewarded here!

[@squamish4244]

Ha ha yep!

[@jiulliasilva773]

That's why I'm here...

[@miguelrivera9599]

Emma Thompson nunca se vio más bella, quizá en Henry V porque estaba más joven, pero aquí su estilo y gracia le hizo ganar el Oscar.

[@darcimkire07]

love it.. love Anthony Hopkins

[@ianinkster2261]

When he looks at the cileing, almost as if intimidated by his own riches,.

[@glacia]

I love this scene!

[@AMildCaseOfCovid]

I remember seeing this nominated for everything when I watched the Oscars that year. I finally watched the movie recently for the first time. I don't think I've seen a woman on screen who's been more charming and attractive than Emma Thompson is in this movie, and I saw Entrapment with its laser spandex butt scene.

[@Elaine32909]

House is breathtaking.

[@TheAnish01]

Why there is seldom very few elegant people in the world?

[@dellaagostinis6584]

Il mio film preferito

[@mikemactavish1665]

Best scene in the movie

[@principessa1121]

Fair enough. :-) Splendid duo.

[@frankhaas6719]

principessa1121 yes!

[@stephenvince9994]

Anthony Hopkins...in a class of his own as an actor.

[@user-jl1mf8mx9y]

Yes I will ❤

[@waterclear26]

now why couldn't these 2 great actos kiss in "the remains of the day"? lol

[@saraw3418]

Because they didn't in those days. Especially not in starchy old England.

[@nicolesong6199]

Cuz ... that’s not the point of the remains of the day’s story?

[@osuvalpal]

this is true... however its anthony hopkins and emma thompson ^_^

[@osuvalpal]

YES!!!! :D

[@dannielledryden1213]

Not the most romantic of proposes....

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

+Dannielle Dryden - Margaret was put in a position where she had to survive. She married for security, and out of her spiritual connection to Ruth Wilcox but she grows to genuinely love Henry.

[@craffte]

I wanted to squash him like a bug.

[@nicolesong6199]

Oh. Huh. So

[@typhoon320i]

Wow, talk about your chemistry. "Might I favor master with a tender kiss, on the forehead?"

[@nicolesong6199]

This is surprisingly unnatural, especially when considering their roles in The Remains of the Day, where they look nearly identical

[@Alia-bc3rc]

Actually I'm more than fine when Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson's characters did not get together in the end of Remains of The Day. That movie did supposed to have bleak ending, the world has changing.

[@lemorab1]

Many years have passed since I saw this movie. I fail to understand how everyone posting here finds some sort of "Remains of the Day" catharsis in having Emma and Anthony get together in Howard's End. I hated the character of Henry Wilcox so much that it nearly ruined Howard's End for me. I completely lost respect for Margaret when she married him. I didn't see it as love at all on her part, only finally achieving financial security at a terrible price. Anthony Hopkins - wonderful actor. Henry Wilcox, absolutely loathsome character.

[@huntley3999]

Yes but it's a MOVIE, Blanche. It's just a MOVIE!

[@craffte]

The only way I could reconcile this decision of Margaret's is the fact that her character is exactly the person who would, with practical restraint, see the good in everyone. Even the Master Wilcoxes of the world. They clued you in to their blossoming ..er.."romance" ( WHAT the heck ever) by way of the flirtations at dinner, but it wasn't enough for me. Why would she?? And Helen would kill her for it. Oh well, Here's to all the Miss Schlegels of the world. Getting it wrong, but having still the willingness to try. Love this clip, thanks.

[@nicolesong6199]

Lol

[@squamish4244]

It's this clip and the KISS that count as the catharsis, the kiss we all wanted in Remains of the Day. That's why.

[@shakespearefreak-upon-Avon]

This was one of the strangest period dramas I’ve ever watched 😂

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

That's Forster.

[@Paulco67]

It’s all in the subtle details....

[@squamish4244]

E.M. Forster challenged the social conventions of his day and was very critical of the class system. The movie also compressed events, which can lead to some confusion about what is going on. Watching both the movie and the miniseries are a good way to understand everything that is happening. For instance, you spend a lot more time with the young guy and understand his deal better in the miniseries.

[@TheJabelin]

Great couple... I was very disappointed in Remains of the Day... No kiss, no sweet words... Now in this film they are wife and husband, it isn't the same, but...

[@saraw3418]

That's the whole point of Remains of the Day. It's showing frustrated love and a man who is totally constipated in closed up feelings. Read the book!

[@henryivan6858]

Why can't I resolve my problems with sophisticated dialogue like Emma Thompson 🤔

[@clazza01]

@EnterprisingVoyager ME TOO THE BEST EVER XXXX

[@Dorotii3107]

They are in Love …

[@squamish4244]

E.M. Forster knew what must have been awful loneliness. He was homosexual and did not lose his virginity until he was 38, long after he had written Howard's End.

[@Elithaki1]

So did she except the proposal? I've never seen this movie before and I'm kind of confused. Can someone please reply.

[@Paulco67]

Liz K yes, she married him

[@GitanAnimex]

In the book she kinda suspected it could happen

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

☺

[@orangestoneface]

nobody here seems to notice that they hardly showed signs of love, and it failed

[@craffte]

It seems that some of the comments are coming from those who watch those lifetime movies where everyone kisses and there's a happy ending and lots of cuddles and cozy fireplaces and sweaters and cute doggies and...

[@nicolesong6199]

Uh huh. That’s why there’s nearly no chemistry in this scene, I see now, it’s deliberate.

[@squamish4244]

@@nicolesong6199 It is deliberate. These kinds of proposals were common at the time.

[@ianinkster2261]

Interesting thing about Henry is he doesn't come across as at all bad except when he owes you consideration and you don't get it (e.g. the misled clerk)

[@ngahuynhphuong4764]

I thought I could forgive Henry but when he blurted out "didn't do wrong, did I?" I couldn't stand it anymore. what a bossy man to live with.

[@Paulco67]

Like most of us men, he was stupid and selfish

[@lukasmiller486]

He was just joking admitting his fault in not leaving Meg Howard’s End right away. I’m glad they were able to resolve their conflicts and stay together. Henry wasn’t a bad man; he just needed a push from Margaret to be more compassionate and forgiving towards her sister since he had sins of his own to count. And let’s not forget how he pegged Mr. Bast correctly right off the bat when he saw Bast preying on those ladies’ kindness.

[@nicolesong6199]

I should not have watched this on KZbin. Clearly this is better with like dramatic buildup of the whole movie beforehand. I haven’t seen it and I want to.

[@Paulco67]

It’s on Netflix. Outstanding movie

[@lennarthagen3638]

Very stiff kind of people

[@Paulco67]

Victorian restraint. He’s far stiffer In Remains of the Day. I wanted to punch him! Haha

[@kapple654]

ha ha love it xxx

[@wotan10950]

I actually liked the recent remake of Howards End much better. I simply found Hayley Atwell and Matthew Macfadyen much more likable and sympathetic than these two scenery-chewers.

[@darcimkire07]

love it.. love Anthony Hopkins