An exceedingly sad movie, beautifully told. Even the most quiet dignity contains at times achingly haunting and silent screams — of unrequited love or unfulfilled promise, or perhaps unbearable pain. Sometimes it is all three, and at other times … well, who’s to say?

You know what I am doing, Miss Kenton? I am placing my mind elsewhere while you chatter away.

That line, one of many I remember from the movie, is in the official trailer. It popped into my head earlier today while someone outside my apartment talked and talked and talked and talked …

And then …

(In case you haven’t seen the film but plan to) *

… after Mr. Stevens informs Miss Kenton he is too busy to leave his duties to see about his father, the news of whose death Miss Kenton has just reported to him:

In that case, would you permit me to close his eyes?

I would be most grateful, Miss Kenton.

And yes, for the more bookish of you out there, I know it’s also a swell novel.

* Do you see how thoughtful I can be?

“Spoiler alert” image by karen roach via Shutterstock.