DVD Review: 84 Charing Cross Road
Written by: Kage Alan

Film Rating: A
DVD Special Features: N/A

Where the heck am I when films like these come out?  Actually, I would still
have been in high school in 1986 and probably not very interested in a movie
about a "correspondence".  My loss entirely.  Much to my amazement, there is
a bookstore here in Michigan with the same name, apparently borrowed from the
book the film was based on with the same title.  Small world, huh?  Okay,
back to the film.

"84 Charing Cross Road" is based on the real life relationship a modest
screenplay reader began in 1948 (I believe) with the staff of a bookstore in
London.  Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft, "Agnes of God") is a feisty New Yorker
with a love for British Literature.  When the local bookstores aren't able to
offer up anything suitable to appease her hunger, she takes an unusual step
and contacts a small bookshop in London to see if they can locate any of the
items on her list.  Frank P. Doel (Anthony Hopkins, "Silence of the Lambs"),
a manager at the store, finds her acerbic wit and writing ability appealing
and takes great pleasure in filling the order.  It's his response and her
follow-up that begin a long distance correspondence that lasts for decades.

While this could easily have been a very dull and by-the-numbers film, what
makes it work is the extremely human approach these characters have, their
very different senses of humor, their love of literature and an overwhelming
appreciation for human life.  When Helene hears that residents in London are
on strict food rations, she pays an overseas service to send the bookstore a
large basket of assorted meats, fruits and vegetables.  This practice
continues on all the holidays and they in turn write her letters of thanks
and send books they hope she will enjoy.

As the friendships continue, it soon becomes the hope of everybody at the
shop that Helene will take a trip to London and meet them.  Unfortunately,
things don't work out like they hope and she's not able to make the trip.  
Time moves forward in the world, workers in the shop move on, some pass on,
children grow up and Helene receives some very sad news.  I'll admit that I
was in tears at the end of this film, but in a good way.  I don't think I can
relay just how utterly charming and delightful "84 Charing Cross Road" is.  
Perhaps the film's impact is felt all the more because it's based on real
events and real people.  All I know is that I really want to read the book
now, even though I know how it ends and I'll end up in tears again.

The performances here by Bancroft and Hopkins are perfect.  Both have a
warmth and intelligence that comes through beautifully and they manage to
captivate the screen in every shot they are in.  It was also a delight to see
Judi Dench playing a very different role, that of Frank's soft-spoken Irish
wife, than I've seen her in previously.  The rest of the supporting cast
members did a wonderful job and only added to the delight factor of the film.
I honestly can't say enough good things about this movie.

Columbia has released a decent looking transfer and even though it's only
Full Screen, I'd rather have that than nothing at all.  I seriously have to
wonder why there wasn't a Widescreen version released.  What's with that,
Columbia?  As far as the audio goes, I don't have any complaints with it.  
Then too, it could have been one of the worst sounding tracks in the world
and I might not have noticed because I was too captivated with the actual
film.  Still, I can't remember there being any major distractions or flaws
with it.  As for extras, there are a couple of trailers and that's it.

With Anthony Hopkins' popularity still growing, I really hope that Columbia
will revisit "84 Charing Cross Road" and deliver a Widescreen transfer of the
film or even an edition with some extras.  I would love to hear a commentary
track by Bancroft, Hopkins and director David Jones or even see some
behind-the-scenes footage or interviews.    For now, though, we have this
movie-only edition and the film stands on its own merit.  I highly recommend
this to everyone.


Kage holds degrees in Creative Writing, as well as Film & Video. He has been featured in a Life Journey Tele-Course, published poems in several national anthologies, been a contributor to The Third Coast Magazine and written several novels. kage@modamag.com Th