Enchanted April (1991)

Four English women, after WWI, 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.

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Plot Keywords:

italy | retreat | socialite | friendship | holiday | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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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:

Avril enchanté

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

The castle the ladies travel to is located in Portofino out the outskirts of Genoa. Both Mr. Briggs and Mr. Arbuthnot stop by the castle en route to Rome.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Mellersh Wilkins: I realize how valuable you have been to me. In my profession, a man is always helped by having a clever, attractive wife. Lady Caroline thinks you're attractive. So do I.
Lottie: Do you think I'm attractive, Mellersh?
Mellersh Wilkins: Yes I do. One thing puzzles me, though. Why weren't you attractive sooner?

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Connections

Referenced in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: Good Will Haunting (1998)

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Soundtracks

Rap
Written by Jean-Jacques Beineix

User Reviews

Invitation to the Voyage:

"My child, my sister, dream

How sweet all things would seem

Were we in that kind land to live together,

And there love slow and long,

There love and die among

Those scenes that image you, that sumptuous weather."

Charles Baudelaire

Based on the novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim, "Enachanted April" can be described in one sentence – it takes place in the early 1920s when four London women, four strangers decide to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April. It is the correct description but it will not prepare you for the fact that "Enchanted April" - an ultimate "feel good" movie is perfection of its genre. Lovely and sunny, tender and peaceful, kind and magical, it is like a ray of sun on your face during springtime when you want to close your eyes and smile and stop this moment of serene happiness and cherish it forever. This is the movie that actually affected my life. I watched it during the difficult times when I was lost, unhappy and very lonely, when I had to deal with the sad and tragic events and to come to terms with some unflattering truth about myself. It helped me to regain my optimism and hope that anything could be changed and anything is possible. I had promised to myself then that no matter what, I would pull myself out of misery and self-pity and I would appreciate every minute of life - with its joy and its sadness...I promised myself that I would go to Italy and later that year I did and I was not alone.

Charming, enchanting, and heartwarming, "Enchanted April" is one of the best movies ever made and my eternal love. This little film is a diamond of highest quality.