Another LGBTQ movie made in the era of Thatcherism in the UK, this one comes from James Ivory — who is one of the most important gay filmmakers in cinematic history.
James Wilby stars as the titular Maurice, and charms us all doing so as he engages in affairs with Hugh Grant's Clive and Rupert Graves' Alec. The story, based on E. M. Forster's seminal novel, is set in the repressive society of Edwardian England, but Wilby's Maurice still manages to find hope and love even in this restrictive environment.
Without giving away too much, Maurice's tale differs greatly to Grant's Clive, who struggles greatly with his sexuality and to accept himself. It's a film that shows what it's like to accept oneself, and the damages of lying to oneself, and has changed many people's lives.
In BFI's YouTube video in which they interview Wilby and Grant, the first comment, from Jim Fitzpatrick, reads: "This book and film were life-changing to me. Probably saved my life. I was 22 in 1987, and being gay was not easy."