An attempt to horn in on the E.M. Forster concession: inhibited Britishers "opening up" in balmy Italy. (The original novelist in this case is the considerably less stellar Elizabeth von Arnim.) The drizzly gray color seems appropriate enough for the opening scenes in London, but the image -- resolutely "stylish" -- doesn't improve all that much in the southern sunshine. The action, meantime, settles comfily into a vein of light and caricaturish comedy: the personality clashes between two downtrodded middle-class housewives (very highly strung performances by Miranda Richardson and Josie Lawrence), a pretentious literary grande dame (Joan Plowright, magisterial), and a high-society party girl (Polly Walker), all sharing a Medieval castle for a month. The irony is that once Italy begins to work its magic, the agreeable comedy gives way to sticky sentimentality. We enjoy the people less as they enjoy themselves more. Directed by Mike Newell. (1992) — Duncan Shepherd
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