The film was also praised for its faithful and respectful adaptation of the novel, and for its superb performances, cinematography, and music.
The film, however, also made some changes and additions to the novel, such as:
- The film added a prologue and an epilogue, set in 1958, that showed Stevens meeting Mr. Farraday for the first time, and returning to Darlington Hall after his meeting with Miss Kenton.
- The film omitted some of the characters and scenes from the novel, such as the Taylor family, Dr. Carlisle, and the friendly stranger.
- The film changed some of the details and the chronology of the events, such as the date and the location of the Nazi conference, the death and the funeral of Stevens’ father, and the dismissal and the departure of the Jewish maids.
- The film emphasized and enhanced some of the emotional and dramatic aspects of the story, such as the tension and the attraction between Stevens and Miss Kenton, the conflict and the betrayal between Lord Darlington and Mr. Cardinal, and the regret and the sadness of Stevens and Miss Kenton at the end.
The film also added some scenes and dialogues that were not in the novel, such as:
- The scene where Stevens and Miss Kenton listen to the radio broadcast of the Munich Agreement, and Miss Kenton expresses her disappointment and anger at Lord Darlington’s role in it.
- The scene where Stevens and Miss Kenton dance together in the kitchen, and Miss Kenton tries to kiss Stevens, but he pulls away.
- The scene where Stevens and Miss Kenton have a heated argument over a book that Stevens is reading, and Miss Kenton accuses him of being ignorant and heartless.
- The scene where Stevens witnesses Lord Darlington breaking down and crying in his study, after being exposed and humiliated by Mr. Cardinal.
- The scene where Stevens and Miss Kenton have a final conversation at the hotel, and Miss Kenton asks Stevens if he ever loved her, and he says that he cannot answer that question.
The film also changed some of the dialogues and the expressions of the characters, such as:
- The dialogue where Stevens tells Miss Kenton that he is going to visit his father, who is dying, and Miss Kenton says that she is sorry, and that she hopes he will be all right.
- The dialogue where Stevens tells Miss Kenton that he is going to write a letter to Mr. Benn, and Miss Kenton says that she is happy for him, and that she hopes he will find happiness.
- The expression where Stevens smiles and laughs for the first time, after Mr. Farraday makes a joke about his driving skills.
Relevance and Significance of the Novel
The novel is relevant and significant for several reasons, such as:
- The novel is a masterpiece of literature, that showcases the skill and the artistry of Kazuo Ishiguro, one of the most acclaimed and influential writers of our time. The novel is a testament to the power and the beauty of language, and to the creativity and the imagination of the human mind.
- The novel is a timeless tale of love and loyalty, that touches the hearts and the souls of the readers, and that resonates with their own experiences and emotions. The novel is a celebration of the human spirit, and of the values and the virtues that make us human.
- The novel is a historical and political reflection, that sheds light and insight on the events and the issues that shaped the 20th century, and that still affect the 21st century. The novel is a challenge and a reminder to the readers, to think critically and ethically about their role and their responsibility in history, and in the world.
Conclusion
The Remains of the Day is a novel that captivates and enlightens the readers, with its rich and refined language, its compelling and complex characters, and its profound and poignant themes. The novel is a remarkable achievement of literature, that showcases the talent and the vision of Kazuo Ishiguro, one of the most celebrated and influential writers of our time. The novel is also a timeless tale of love and loyalty, that touches the hearts and the souls of the readers, and that resonates with their own experiences and emotions.
