Merchant Ivory's legacy launched Hugh Grant and Helena Bonham Carter into stardom

In a landscape where independent film production is marked by creativity and passion, the documentary by Stephen Soucy pays tribute to the celebrated Merchant Ivory team, comprising producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory, screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and composer Richard Robbins. This group made significant contributions to the genre of refined costume dramas, with classic films such as 'Howards End' and 'The Remains of the Day.' Their work was characterized by a deep literary quality, which emerged around the 1960s when they began to explore stories with complex emotional landscapes. The documentary highlights the distinctive journey of Merchant Ivory, which began with the film 'Shakespeare Wallah' in 1965, showcasing their ability to blend moments of cultural depth with overarching themes of love, loss, and identity. This nuanced storytelling bridged Indian and Western aesthetics, which is an essential element of their filmmaking style. Moreover, the film dives into the personal lives of Merchant and Ivory, who were not only colleagues but life partners, navigating both their romantic relationships and professional collaborations. Their love story adds layers of intimacy and complexity to their shared creative vision. Further, the legacy of Merchant Ivory is examined through its pioneering work in LGBTQ+ cinema, notably the adaptation of E.M. Forster's 'Maurice,' which became a landmark film due to its positive representation of gay relationships at a time when such narratives were largely absent from mainstream cinema. The documentary features interviews with notable figures who worked closely with the duo, including Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant, who reminisce about their experiences and the unique charm of Ismail Merchant as a producer. Through these reflections, the enduring influence of Merchant Ivory's artistry on contemporary filmmakers is made palpable. The film ultimately serves not only as a recounting of Merchant Ivory’s cinematic achievements but also as a means to spark renewed interest in their work. This exploration sheds light on the changing perceptions of their films, which some critics once dismissed as conventional. As the documentary concludes, it encourages audiences to revisit and appreciate the vast and rich filmography of Merchant Ivory, reaffirming their status as titans of independent filmmaking and compelling storytellers in the context of film history.