The 1986 film 84 Charing Cross Road is a bit like fine wine, it's only for discriminating tastes and persons who appreciate the finer things in life. This film can best be described as a chamber piece, that probably works better as a stage play than a film. It is based on the book of the same title by Helen Hanff, the lead character in the film.

Tired of her inability to find rare, out- of -print books in New York, Helene Hanff, (Anne Bancroft) a struggling New York writer, comes across an advertisement in The Saturday Review for a bookstore in London that specializes in antique books, reasonably priced. She writes a letter requesting several volumes and receives them with a very courteous, but impersonal reply.

Helene's request is followed by a series of additional requests, each one building upon the other as Helene begins to develop a more amiable and personal relationship with the bookstore's head of overseas sales, Frank Doel. (Anthony Hopkins) As the story continues, Helene's letters reveal her feisty, demanding, but generous personality in contrast to Frank's stoic, businesslike, demeanor. Gradually, the two become a little more familiar with one another as Helene sends holiday packages of gourmet food items for the entire staff of Marks and Company booksellers in the wake of England's post war austerity.

Helene begins to receive warm, personalized letters from the entire staff, who idealize her as a bright, highly independent, "woman of mystery." Helene and the staff at Marks and Company correspond regularly during a twenty year span from 1949-1969. Eventually, Frank begins to sign his letters more affectionately, and the viewer begins to realize that Frank and Helene have become much more than casual business acquaintances. In fact, their passion for antique books and opposite personalities make them ideal soul mate partners. Helene makes plans to visit London on one occasion, but fate intervenes in the form of an expensive dental bill. When she finally makes it to London, the bookstore and all of it's employees have either moved on or ceased to exist.

The most charming facet of 84 Charing Cross Road is the development of the characters who share an enduring friendships even though they never meet face to face, as the story is revealed through flashbacks. The film succeeds, for the most part, due to the imaginative switching back and forth between domestic scenes of the characters New York and London, and the witty dialog by screenwriter Hugh Whitemore. Most of the dialog is delivered in voice overs of correspondence between Helene and the staff at Marks and Company. At one point, Helene and Frank seem to have become so familiar with one another, that they appear to be communicating face to face through time and space, although they are thousands of miles away. In one particular scene, when Frank discovers that Helene has canceled her trip to London, he pauses, and reveals a facial expression and body language that can best be described as stunned heartbreak.

It is amazing how well this story works despite the absence of a real plot. The period accents are very well done as Director David Jones (Betrayal) interjects scenes from New Years celebrations in the Big Apple, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I of England, the Brooklyn Dodger's pennant race, and Helene's arrest during a campus demonstration in the late 1960's; all combining to enhance the nostalgic tone of the film. The scenes from both London and New York capture the best cultural aspects of both cities. The soundtrack features such varying musical genres as excerpts from Handel's Messiah and 1950's style jazz.

The casting of Anne Bancroft as Helene and Anthony Hopkins as Frank Doel is a stroke of genius. Both actors bring their characters to life, with another fine supporting performance by Judi Dench as Frank's adoring, but largely ignored, wife. The contrast between Hopkins' quiet, understated performance, and Bancroft's loud exuberance, creates the perfect chemistry. The technical staff should also be commended for gracefully aging Bancroft as she starts out with a brunette pageboy hair style and winds up with a tasteful middle aged, gray tinged, coiffure.

In the end, 84 Charing Cross Road is a quaint, bittersweet, story of love and friendship that transcends time and space. We would all be fortunate to have such a poignant experience. Although it doesn't translate particularly well into the film medium, the story itself, is touching and well crafted.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older