JOHN IRVIN

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB

United Kingdom/USA, 1995.  Anuline, Miramax.  Screenplay by Trevor Bentham, based on the story by H.E. Bates.  Cinematography by Pasqualino de Santis.  Produced by Robert Fox.  Music by Nicola Piovani.  Production Design by Gianni Giovagnoni.  Costume Design by Lia Francesca Morandini.  Film Editing by Peter Tanner.  

Sweet romantic film, beautifully photographed and excellently adapted from the novella by H.E. Bates.  Vanessa Redgrave plays a single tourist revisiting her favourite resort in Lake Como, a place she frequented as a young woman while her father was still alive. She meets a handsome ex-Major (Edward Fox), but finds his attention soon being dragged away by the arrival of an Italian family, whose delicious American governess (Uma Thurman) is more than just an eyeful.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Redgrave doesn’t enjoy a little attention of her own from the young men, in her case an Italian suitor (Alessandro Gassman, Vittorio’s grandson). Nothing too substantial, but it’s such a marvelous, light delicacy, and Redgrave is in peak form.

Golden Globe Award Nomination:  Best Actress-Musical/Comedy (Vanessa Redgrave)

Toronto International Film Festival:  1995