Julian Sands

Julian Sands' body was found a few days ago. He'd been missing since January when he went hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles. He was an actor with unique presence, capable of being charming or revolting. There was a largeness about him, a sense of physical size that forcefully captured the viewer's attention.

I'd seen him in supporting roles in many films, most recently in a stand out performance in the Stephen King miniseries Rose Red. I believe I first saw him in David Cronenberg's adaptation of William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch in which he capably plays a sinister and attractive man. Last night I watched him in his breakout role in 1985's A Room with a View.

It's a gentle story about gentle people and their gentle little dramas. Based on the EM Forster novel of the same name, it centers on a pretty young woman called Lucy (Helena Bonham Carter) who's adorably out of touch with herself. Sands plays the handsome young freethinker she meets in Florence with whom she won't admit she's in love.

It's a tremendously pretty film and it's hard to imagine Florence has ever looked better. It's worth watching for the vicarious sight-seeing. And surely all these locations are better when all the people are in Edwardian costume.

Sands has a standout scene when he comes to Lucy's assistance after she's witnessed a man being killed. Concern, fascination, and passion are all visible in Sands' performance which is nonetheless understated.

The rest of the cast includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Denholm Elliot, Maggie Smith, and Judi Dench and Sands is never overshadowed. He was great.

A Room with a View is available on The Criterion Channel.