A Month by the Lake (1995)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

John Irvin

Writers:

H.E. Bates (story), Trevor Bentham,

Stars:

Vanessa Redgrave, Edward Fox, Uma Thurman

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Miss Bentley
Edward Fox	...	Major Wilshaw
Uma Thurman	...	Miss Beaumont
Alida Valli	...	Signora Fascioli
Carlo Cartier	...	Mr. Bonizzoni
Alessandro Gassman	...	Vittorio Balsari
Natalia Bizzi	...	Signora Bonizzoni
Frances Nacman	...	1st American Lady
Paolo Lombardi	...	Enrico
Riccardo Rossi	...	Guido
Sonia Martinelli	...	Maria
Veronica Wells	...	2nd American Lady
Carlotta Bresciani	...	Bonizzoni Angel
Bianca Tognocchi	...	Bonissoni Angel
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ayanta Barilli

Storyline

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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Plot Keywords:

lake | artist | switzerland | ear | flirting | 

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Taglines:

A charming, wealthy English gentleman. Two beautiful women. If it only takes a moment to fall in love, imagine what can happen in...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for moments of sensuality

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amor à Beira do Lago

Filming Locations:

Lake Como, Lombardia, Italy

Box Office

Gross:

$2,196,534 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anuline, Miramax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edward Fox and Uma Thurman had previously co-starred in Robin Hood, which was also directed by John Irvin.

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Goofs

The position of Ms. Bentley's racket while she's playing tennis.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Miss Bentley: The story begins on Lake Como, many years ago during the last fantastic summer before the war.
Miss Bentley: Returning to the lake has always seemed like coming home. Everyone is so friendly. Everyone is welcome. The Villa Barbianello basks all day long in the lakeside sun, which is hotter than usual for late April.

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Soundtracks

"Aida"
Music by Giuseppi Verdi
Performed by Accademia Musicale Italiana

User Reviews

Uneven, Unpleasant

I don't usually comment but for once I don't agree with anybody else. Quite simply, I think this movie was confused and exaggerated and a waste of acting talent. The premise is a mix of standard conventions, the "white expatriates in a romantic foreign land" meets "laughter in the shadow of war" framework. I wouldn't mind the clichés so much, if not for:

-Edward Fox's bizarre performance as the major, where he seems to waiver between creepy predator and grinning imbecile.

-Typically elegant Vanessa Redgrave in a goofy impulsive performance where her seemingly complex inconsistencies really just make her look foolish.

-Uma Thurman makes it hard to remember why she doesn't totally suck as an actress. I rarely knew what emotion she was trying to convey but perhaps people could be confused into thinking she was layered and mysterious.

-The grinning Italians in the background might as well be Mario and Luigi for all the depth of character we get to see. They bob around happily, cheering and waving and doing pratfalls.

-The central element, the love story between Redgrave and Fox, is totally stiff and unbelievable and made me feel weird just watching it.

All told, I watch about 5 videos a week and this is one of the very few movies I have shut off before it's done. stay away.