For 16 years Miss Bentley has been spending April at an elegant hillside villa on Lake Como. This year, 1937, her London society artist father has recently died and the only other English-speaking guests are brash Americans. Then Major Wilshaw arrives. He suggests they meet for cocktails and Miss Bentley stands him up -- not even thinking about it -- as she helps the new nanny of an Italian family settle in. Miss Beaumont, a tall, young American who has dropped out of finishing school in Switzerland, is bored and finds some amusement in flirting with the major, whose libido is awakened for the first time since before the great war. And Miss Bentley now finds more about the major to admire than his ears.
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Reviews
Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
In 1937 Miss Bentley (Vanessa Redgrave 58) summers at lake Como at a hotel she has spent the summer at for 16 years. There she meets Major Wilshaw (Edward Fox 58) and the other main character in this triangle Miss Beaumont (Urma Thurman 28).Bentley is a delightful cheerful character single and is interested in the fusty Major Wilshaw. He in turn has eyes for the 28 year old Miss Beaumont who strings him along in a sadistic way.I guess the only thing that occurred to me is why Miss Bentley would be interested in Major Wilshaw a rather unattractive short man (Redgrave is still rather attractive at 58)...if they had cast someone a bit more handsome than Fox... but then it helps delineate the themes of the story better and makes Miss Beaumont's sadistic flirting much more believable.The first time I saw the movie in 1995 I didn't like Redgrave's Bentley character but this time I did the movie was much better the second time. Something about her hyper flighty too good to be true nature seemed contrived the first time but not really the second? I have aged 15 years and am 59 myself now maybe that is part of it.The movie has a little of the requisite anti fascist political pounding going on from time to time but it is restrained thank God--it would have ruined a well done little story.Good movie watch it.
This is a wonderful movie. Redgrave is wonderful as Ms. Bennet. She is a very good actress and its nice to see her do some light comedy. My only complaint is Uma Thurman. It seemed as if she didn't know how to play her character. her mood changes, her mannerisms, even her attitude. Her scenes are also awkward. She never gives a convincing performance. Redgrave, once again, is wonderful. Displaying the various moods needed and giving off an award winning performance. Fox is also a so-so actor. He is good, but also awkward and one really doesn't see why Redgrave would want him so badly. This film has been coming on t.v. for quite some time now and I watch it every time. I've even bought the DVD! It is a nice romantic comedy that can be enjoyed. Also, it is funny to watch Fox's not so quick hand, as he does his magic tricks.
I chose this movie for our Valentine's night movie and it was perfect! It is a romance for and about mature people -- that is, people in the later years of their lives. If you are in your teens or even 20's, this movie may not appeal to you. And if you like hot, sweaty sexual scenes, it will definitely disappoint. It is flirtatious, funny, elegant, tasteful, uplifting and amusing. The scenery and setting at Lake Como, Italy in 1937 are serene and beautiful. They don't make many movies like this anymore; finding this 1995 jewel was a rare pleasure.
An enjoyable movie. The scenery is beautiful as well as the photography. The outfits are really nice. Set in Italy by the Lake of Como, which looks like a still painting. Vanessa Redgrave, (Howards End) Miss Bentley goes on her holiday. She ends up falling in love with Major Wilshaw, Edward Fox, (Gandhi) after conflicting with a nanny, Miss Beaumont, Uma Thurman (The Truth About Cats & Dogs). Vittorio Balsari, Alessandro Gassman plays an Italian fellow who is really charming. Favorite scenes: Miss Bentley putting her earrings on. Major Wilsaw and Miss Bentley going swimming. Favorite Quote: " It is better to observe than been observed."