Gutsycurene
Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.
StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Catherina
If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
meema64
I just saw this movie last week on Turner Classic Movies. I just stumbled upon it and though it was a slow starter, I was delighted I stayed with it. Timothy Bottoms seemed so very young and Maggie Smith was such a realistic, but lively spinster, that it wasn't too far into the movie before you knew that something exciting was going to happen between these two. I almost didn't watch after seeing the title, but after watching it to the very end, the title does seem to fit. If you ever have a chance to see this movie on TCM, and you are somewhat a romantic, or have ever dreamed or have fallen in love on a vacation, please watch this movie.
Neil Doyle
And just as funny, with two wildly eccentric characters finding comfort in each other through an improbable but funny series of circumstances which bind them together during a tour of Spain. They're the least organized of all the tourists, eventually getting away from the tour group to do some exploring on their own.And they're not the only eccentrics in the story. There's a wonderful scene where MAGGIE SMITH gets advances from a man who fancies himself a bird whistler and whose idea of a courtship is to present himself at her hotel room with his favorite bird on his shoulder. "I like fish," she tells him after a wacky scene where she has to put up all of her resistance against his pursuit of romance. Another funny sequence has a titled nobleman living in a castle making the same sort of attempt to lure Smith into a romantic liaison.But the film really belongs to the bewildering relationship between the repressed Maggie (who reveals later that she has a fatal illness), and the young man from a wealthy family of over-achievers who just wants to get away from family control over his destiny. He finds a kindred spirit in Smith but admits to her that she can be "a pain in the ass" at times. Both find themselves in a lot of foolish situations.All of it is done with expert timing from both leads who turn in finely nuanced performances amid some hysterically funny scenes that will have you gasping for breath at the absurdity of it all.Unfortunately, the script flounders badly toward the end and overall the story loses the satisfaction of some of the earlier moments in telling an unusual tale of a May/September romance. It could have used a bit more editing before release and never became a huge hit with the public.The color photography in Verona and Madrid is gorgeous, and the story benefits from a sense of humor that never lets up as we follow their misadventures across the Spanish landscape in rain and shine. All of the supporting performances are first rate.
stevezini
I saw this in the theater years ago with friends, we howled. One liked it so much he went back to see it again the next night. Magi Smith and Jeff Bridges are so different and yet so great together, which speaks so highly of both their talents. The characters are so different, an "asprinig" student who has yet to pass the SAT and enroll in college at 26, surrounded by extremely successful his parents and siblings.And then he meets by accident - one of many of his making - an older woman, a teacher. One whose world, is not just structured, but encased for years by career and the needs of her siblings. The understated humor is delivered so perfectly by both that makes it so funny and the romance so touching.
sally
This was one of my favorite movies. This is Maggie Smiths Best movie. I cannot understand why it is never on TV or allowed to be made into a DVD. I have written to Lifetime,TCM and others trying to get some network to play the movie. Does anyone out there know why this movie is never shown? I can't think of another movie that matches it in humor and tenderness. This is a PG movie but last time I asked for it in a video store they thought I was looking for an X rated movie and gave me a sheet of Xers. I first went to this movie because someone told me it was a great small movie and if I didn't see it now I would never get the chance. (he was right) I took his advice and had to drive around a flood area (there had just been a tornado) to get to see the movie before it left the area. I am so happy I got that chance but it would be great if others get to experience this film. This movie was wonderful!! And I will repeat Maggie Smith's BEST movie.