Semi-autobiographical tale from the early life of director Franco Zeffirelli looks at the illegitimate son of an Italian businessman. The boy's mother has died, and he is raised by an ... See full summary »
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Semi-autobiographical tale from the early life of director Franco Zeffirelli looks at the illegitimate son of an Italian businessman. The boy's mother has died, and he is raised by an Englishwoman in pre-WWII Fascist Italy. Living to each other in Florence, and presided over by an ambassador's widow, a group of Englishwomen live a sheltered existence which they believe is guaranteed personal protection in a tea reception given by Il Duce. However, as war breaks out, the women are interned. Occasionally in this English colony is a wealthy American, who visits among her travels and marriages to wealthy older men. She respects the "Scorpioni", as they are known, and secretly arranges for their stay in a hotel. The ambassador's widow finds her vulgar and tries to ignore her, but when the United States enters the war, the American too is taken into custody. Only then does she discover that her Italian lover has tricked her into signing over all her money and modern art collection to him, ... Written by
John Sacksteder <jsackste@bellsouth.net>
Elsa is referred to as "a Jew". Until long after World War II, a female Jew in Europe was referred to as "a Jewess". See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Title Card:
Florence 1935.
Title Card:
The love affair between the artistically-inclined English community and Florence was soon to be overshadowed by the clouds of war.
Title Card:
But at the moment the sun is still shining on the squares and statues, and the dictator Mussolini is the gentleman who makes the trains run on time.
Connie Raynor:
Excuse me, are you the Consul?
British Consul:
Yes.
Connie Raynor:
Connie Raynor of the Morning Post. I'm fascinated to know what His Majesty's Consul in Florence makes of it all?
British Consul:
I can't believe your readers would be ...
[...] See more »
TEA WITH MUSSOLINI is Zeffirelli's tribute to his own war-time
upbringing, and while it is undeniably sentimental, it is also a
wonderful movie. A young, illegitimate boy who is rejected by his
father (who is married to another) is raised by his secretary (Joan
Plowright). She is part of a group of English ex-pats living in life on
very fixed incomes in Florence on the eve of WWII. Plowright's
other peers include Maggie Smith as the insufferably snobbish
widow of a consulate, who never lets anyone forget her status.
There's also Judi Dench, an artist, who is a gentle soul and an
animal lover. Lily Tomlin is an American who keeps a watchful eye
on the ladies at the danger comes closer to engulfing them all.
And then there's Cher, the widow of a rich man who comes and
goes throughout Europe in search of good art and a good time. All
these women have come to love the young boy who is now about
14 when the movie begins. Cher, whose character is Jewish is
damn near ruined by a scheming lover, and her life is in danger.
The British contingent has been sent to close quarters in Sienna
where they are forced to live in close proximity to each other, as
prisoners of war. The war is nearly over with the Americans
advancing on Sienna. The young man helps to arrange Cher's
escape and the woman stop bickering long enough to help the
Americans liberate Sienna and all ends happily.
Some have complained that Cher is terrible in this movie.
Nonsense. She's playing a head-strong, independent woman
who is in charge of her own life. This is a variation of the same
theme she has worked as an actress, entertainer and personality
for more than 40 years. The final parting with the young boy is
tear-inducing. Cher looks sensational and gives a heart-felt
performance. The ladies--Dames Joan, Maggie and Judi are
adorable and winning as expected with Lily Tomlin offering a
wonderful portrait of a tough journalist who comes to their support
when the going gets rough. The young boy as Zeffirelli is also
terrific. The scenery is gorgeous, and you can't see too many
stories about interesting, off-beat characters on the loose in Italy
as far as I'm concerned.