Enchanted April (1991)

This slow-paced gem is about the civilizing influence of Italy on beleaguered Londoners both male and female and has it's own civilizing influence on the viewer. It's almost like taking a ... See full summary »

Director:

Mike Newell

Writers:

Elizabeth von Arnim (novel), Peter Barnes

Stars:

Miranda Richardson, Alfred Molina, Joan Plowright

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Josie Lawrence	...	Lottie Wilkins
Miranda Richardson	...	Rose Arbuthnot
Alfred Molina	...	Mellersh Wilkins
Neville Phillips	...	Vicar
Jim Broadbent	...	Frederick Arbuthnot
Michael Kitchen	...	George Briggs
Joan Plowright	...	Mrs. Fisher
Polly Walker	...	Caroline Dester
Stephen Beckett	...	Jonathan
Matthew Radford	...	Patrick
Davide Manuli	...	Beppo
Vittorio Duse	...	Domenico
Adriana Facchetti	...	Francesca
Anna Longhi	...	Costanza

Storyline

This slow-paced gem is about the civilizing influence of Italy on beleaguered Londoners both male and female and has it's own civilizing influence on the viewer. It's almost like taking a little mini-trip to Italy, a gorgeously filmed enchantment.

---

Plot Keywords:

italy | castle | remake | 1920s | unsubtitled foreign language | 

---

Taglines:

It's April in Italy, and anything can happen...even love.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

5 April 1992 (UK)

Also Known As:

Avril enchanté

Filming Locations:

Castello Brown, Portofino, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Box Office

Gross:

$13,200,170 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Miramax Films, Greenpoint Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

After filming wrapped, the cast and crew later remarked upon a number of supernatural experiences while filming on location in Italy. Alfred Molina reportedly felt an ice-cold hand grasp the back of his neck on a night-shoot, while Miranda Richardson felt her knee-high dress being aggressively yanked to the floor while waiting to film in an old castle. There were also several instances of crew-members having to leave the set after suddenly feeling unwell.

---

Goofs

Near the beginning of the film, the vase of flowers at the dining table repeatedly changes between shots.

---

Quotes

Lottie: I was just thinking about cuckoo's for some reason. It's odd.
Mrs. Fisher: Very odd.

---

Connections

Referenced in Siskel & Ebert: Striking Distance/Into the West/The Age of Innocence/Household Saints/Baraka (1993)

---

Soundtracks

"Rap"
Written by Jean-Jacques Beineix

User Reviews

I'm biased towards any movie that paints a luxuriant picture of Italy

I'm biased towards any movie that paints a luxuriant picture of Italy - in my opinion the most romantic country in the world. Unfortunately the movie was rather short, unusually so for a period piece, and a little sparse on the cinematography aspect. However, the excellent story makes up for it. The four ladies embark on a much-needed relaxing vacation with problems on their minds. Over the course of the movie, they realize their problems and begin fixing them. They believe San Salvatore, the castle they stay in, has an enchanting effect on people. "It's a tub of love," says Lottie Wilkins. You can watch their gradual change from dissatisfied to exuberant as the Italian seaside works its magic on them.

All their problems and their solutions are plausible. The actresses were great. The background music seemed very appropriate for an romantic Italian locale. All in all, a 10/10 movie for me.