So much average

hyped garbage

Absolutely Fantastic

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Few critics or fellow film fans have given this period romance much slack, perhaps expecting more passion or more overt drama. As it's a Somerset Maugham adaptation, the simple tale deals with folks whose manner does not allow for much passion, who live in a period where reasonable marriages are prized--and that is the problem our repressed heroine, Kristen Scott Thomas faces as she grapples with oncoming age and a lack of financial resources; she meets American rascal Sean Penn, who is not Cary Grant nor was meant to be, but a playful lover who lives for the moment; it's refreshing to see Penn stretch different acting muscles without the usual angst and anger; There are numerous side benefits for those who enjoy an immersion in period--Tuscany during the rise of repressive Fascism, the Villa on well-manicured grounds, and Anne Bancroft deliciously dishy as a self-indulgent American princess. It's not a great film by any means, but I recommend it as a leisurely cinematic amble for a Sunday afternoon matinée. Afterwoods you can go out on the lawn for a game of croquet.

I was stunned by Kristin Scott Thomas when I first saw her in The Tenth Man (co-starring with Derek Jacobi in that movie too) many years ago. I've tried to catch as many movies with her as possible since then, but she's just never been as good, not even in The English Patient. Much of her material has been extremely dull, incl. Random Hearts and yes, this one, Up At the Villa. The premise of this movie isn't bad, but for some reason it fails to create that engrossing magic that makes all the difference. Kristin's character is too timid and irrational (except for in the end). Jeremy Davies as the poor refugee is not exactly bad, but there's still something totally wrong with his role.Bancroft is flawless, but can't save the movie. Sean Penn is actually good. I don't like most of his roles in other movies - never have -, but he played a different, more complex and realistic yet rogue-ish character here than the hysterical ones he usually embraces (for God knows what reason), and I thought this actually worked. Still, his and Kristin's characters were just too different to make their romantic tension really believable.I will give the movie credit for its entire political dimension, though, which wasn't in the original book that this movie is based on. It's rare to see this; in most cases it's the film that leaves out the book's political content.I rate this movie a 5 out of 10.

I watched this movie last night, on pay-per-view. It is boring, pointless. Yet it´s got a beautiful art direction, very well executed in all, but just drags on at times.The book by W. Somerset Maugham is not great, the movie could not be either.But what caught my attention the most was the "professionalism" of Sean Penn. Being a huge fan of him, and having read loads of his independent-minded, bold-against-the-system interviews, it is kind of comforting to see him work plainly for the money, or as someone said earlier, acting as a big dude. You come to the conclusion that "Well, even the just and mighty have to put bread on the table".Still I voted it 6, as being worth the watch. But not renting or paying for it like I did... wait till TNT features it for free and with lots of commercials, so you can zap around for something better!!!

Not enough action, not enough excitement, no explosions, blah blah...This seems to be common complaint amongst previous comments on this film. To which I say "so what". Must every film be a 'major Hollywood event" or "cinematic experience"? This film featured good performance from a fine cast and was well worth spending two hours over. It is also good to see cinematic attention given to Somerset Maugham's work.Kristen Scott Thomas and Sean Penn held the limelight throughout, and that's no bad thing. I'll be honest, I could watch KST standing still for two hours and still be enthralled, and her performance here is radiant. Sean Penn also delivers an understated, and underrated, version of playboy Rolly Flint. Combine glorious backdrops and a good supporting cast, and what's to complain about?