ME and Ophelia

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84 CHARING CROSS ROAD
Bittersweet true story written by Helene Hanff

Young Occupational therapy student Yolande, blogging out of Singapore, writes about one my favourite films, 84 Charing Cross Road, starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.

It's the true life story - based on a friendship struck up in 1949 through correspondence - between a struggling American writer in New York Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft) and an English book dealer Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins). Frank Doel managed the Marks & Company book shop located at 84 Charing Cross Road in London where Helene Hanff purchased books by mail order from New York.

Don't seem to recall what happened exactly in the end. I think Helene Hanff travelled from New York to the book shop in London only to find that Frank Doel had died before they could ever meet. Their correspondence, exchanged over twenty years, would have made for two great weblogs. As it is, it makes a great book. And a memorable film. Superb acting and script. Perfect casting. Directed by David Jones in 1986. Highly recommended for all book lovers, especially those who enjoy browsing through antiquarian book shops.