Director: David Jones
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, Judi Dench
Running Time: 100 minutes
Synopsis: In 1971, New-York-based writer Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft) visits London for the first time, with the now-closed bookstore at 84 Charing Cross Road her primary destination. A long flashback reveals her history with the store. In 1949, literature lover Helene is frustrated with the limited selection of rare books in New York, and writes to London booksellers Marks & Co. The store's manager Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins) answers, and in addition to supplying books, the correspondence evolves into a years-long letter-writing friendship. Helene also gradually establishes correspondence with Frank's wife Nora (Judi Dench) and his dedicated staff.
What Works Well: Based on Helene Hanff's book, this is a simple and heartwarming story of old-fashioned, long-distance, across-the-ocean friendship. Director David Jones and writer Hugh Whitmore successfully overcome the challenge of creating a screenplay from an exchange of letters, and initially lean heavily on contrasting post-war period vibes, Helene's New York bustling with promise while Frank's grey London struggles with war's aftermath. Anthony Hopkins conveys layers of emotions with the merest of glances, while Anne Bancroft compensates with over-animation.
What Does Not Work As Well: This is a deeply personal story with limited broad appeal beyond aficionados of obscure book trivia. After the premise is set, the second half starts to drag despite the accelerating timeline, and the exchanges surrender to repetitive and perfunctory tones. Helene's friends and Frank's co-workers are never more than props.
Key Quote:
Helene (in a letter responding to Frank): I hope "madam" doesn't mean over there what it means over here.
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