Enchanted April (1991)

Four English women, after World War I, who are unhappy with their lives, and their time away on vacation in a beautiful Italian villa.

Director:

Mike Newell

Writers:

Elizabeth von Arnim (novel), Peter Barnes

Stars:

Alfred Molina, Joan Plowright, Miranda Richardson

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 6 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 its own civilizing influence on the viewer. It's almost like taking a little mini-trip to Italy, a gorgeously filmed enchantment.

---

Plot Keywords:

italy | retreat | socialite | friendship | holiday | 

---

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:

25 December 1992 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Enchanted April

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$73,041, 2 August 1992

Gross USA:

$13,200,170

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,200,170

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Miramax, Greenpoint Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the flowers, especially the Wisteria (which forms an important part of the story, were fake. The producers speak about this in the DVD commentary.

---

Goofs

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

---

Quotes

Mrs. Fisher: That's a beautiful dress...
Caroline: No I've had it a hundred years.
Mrs. Fisher: ...but you must be very cold in it. Its easy to catch a chill here after dark. You look as if you had nothing on underneath.
Caroline: I haven't.

---

Connections

Referenced in Men Behaving Badly: Sarah's Vestigial Organ (1996)

---

Soundtracks

Rap
Written by Jean-Jacques Beineix

User Reviews

Delicious Italian April breeze and trees

When life is not leading towards anywhere promising, stop, go somewhere else, relax, restore and restart.

The movie has been on air in town for a brief period, about ten days in a very small cinema at sleazy area. Though I missed the show, some ten years later I borrowed it from British Council again, now the library of BC has been closed down.

Magic Italy, who can resist its charm? Rational and cool-headed English people always find the southern Mediterranean countries a place to channel their suppressed feeling and emotion, and Italy of course is one of the choices.

At that conservative time, married housewives usually travelled overseas with their husbands. These four women who were suffering from various kinds of unhappiness find refuge to lick their crooked feathers at an Italian island. After reflecting on their lives, they are much refreshed. And further afield in London, during the absence of their wives, the husbands also have revelation about their life goals and go to the island to join their life partners. And happily, the cynical Caroline Dester found her love too.

The cinematography was lyrical and comforting, a landmark of many European movies. Solely by watching without thinking careful about the people or other things, the movie soothes one's weary soul and heart.

I tried to dig up Elizabeth von Arnim's other novels but they were not available easily now. Thank you Mike Newell, otherwise we'll never know her and her enchanting works.