Enchanted April
Enchanted April
PG | 31 July 1992 (USA)
Enchanted April Trailers

Four English women, unhappy with their lives, rent an Italian villa on holiday.

Reviews
Dorathen Better Late Then Never
filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Clarissa Mora The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.
filmalamosa A dud and a bore. Evidently I am not a "play" type person.I am sorry but 4 middle aged women wondering about love and relationships with their husbands is boring period. Give it a feminist twist a couple poorly cast characters and you get either sleep or torture.I particularly found the "beautiful" woman Caroline Dexter bothersome people who think they are beautiful and aren't are such a turn off.... but wouldn't this be the director's fault?During the first 5 minutes of the movie I should have followed my impulse to turn it off when I saw the feminist twist to it = a shy woman is going against all custom and going on a high adventure holiday without her husband (renting castle like villa in Italy with 4 other women a la golden girls). Is there such a category as yuppie feminist boring fluff with pretenses of depth?There was nothing deep or interesting in this thing... even the most boring soap opera has a story this of course was "above" all that.Avoid like the plague
pontifikator An enchanting film. It gets off to a slow start, but once the two women get off to their vacation, things pick up, and we get an engrossing story.The story was filmed as a mini-series for the BBC in 1992, and it was released theatrically in the US. The story takes place in England in the Twenties, and Lottie (played by Josie Lawrence) is sick of the weather - it's March - dreary, and rainy. Lottie and Rose (Miranda Richardson) become acquainted and are unhappy in their marriages, so they decide to rent a villa in Italy for the month of April. They can't quite afford it, though, so they advertise for another two ladies, and a more dissimilar quartet would be hard to imagine. Lottie's and Rose's husbands are played by Alfred Molino and Jim Broadbent, and all four are excellent. Joan Plowright and Polly Walker play the other two woman sharing the villa. Things get off to a rocky start and the ladies defend their turf and come to terms about who shall dominate whom. But the Italian April works its enchantment on them, and soon things go much better. Lottie decides to invite her husband to see if the magic can help them reconcile. Rose then writes to her husband to invite him. Then things get sticky. Jim Broadbent's character has been chasing Polly Walker's character unknown to Rose; Rose is being pursued by the owner of the villa.The resolution of the various threads is well done, and the ending is satisfying. If you like this movie, I recommend "Smiles of a Summer Night" and vice versa.
R Smith This is one of those rare movies, it's lovely and compelling, dignified and quirky, a true gift. I consider it a prerequisite for any trip to Italy, or any vacation at all, because it reminds you to open yourself up to a broader experience (yup, find the magic). I especially loved Josie Lawrence, as Lottie Wilkins, but every lead and supporting actor is flawless in this film. Further the costumes, if you're drawn to fashion and costumes, are extraordinarily well done. I just wish they'd release it on DVD because I'm wearing my tape version out! (updating this review: thank heavens they finally did release it on DVD!!!)Absolutely well worth your time, just make sure to settle in to watch it, without any interruptions.This is still my favorite film of all time.
thguru This is one of the best movies. It is one of my favorites. A movie with good acting. The story is very sensitive and touching. Good camera work also.The names of the actresses and actors are not at the top of the American Star list. However, they give equal or better performances than the top of the list.It is such a pleasure to see a movie about true love, romance, friendship without having to endure watching someone having to kick-box their way to save the world.If you don't like this movie then you have no heart or feelings. Then go watch a sports movie. There is no killing or horror here. See the movie. It is a must. TH