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 (from: the novella "A Month by the Lake" by), Trevor Bentham (screenplay)

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:

villa | switzerland | nanny | lake | italian | 

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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 USA:

$2,196,534

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anuline, Miramax

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 (1991), which was also directed by John Irvin.

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Goofs

At 15:23 the Major clearly hits the ball over the net and onto Miss Bentley's side of the court but at 15:27; Vittorio sees the ball go up and over the roof of the pavilion [where the onlookers are seated underneath]. Then at 15:31-36, the same ball hit at 15:23 can be seen again as it rolls across the court from Miss Bentley's side and past her and the Major's unsuspecting feet rolling to a stop just outside the pavilion. Next Miss Bentley calls out to the onlookers for a ball but she would only have to look to her left and find the ball on the ground.

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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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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Showgirls/Canadian Bacon/Se7en/The Run of the Country/A Month by the Lake (1995)

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Soundtracks

A Tripoli
Written by C. Arona
Performed by Accademia Musicale Italiana

User Reviews

an exceptional film... stunning photography

Wonderful story... great acting.

If you love the Lake Como area of northern Italy this is for you. A special relationship develops between a man and a woman driven by something much deeper than the lust that permeates most of today's movie-making.

Edward Fox is simply magnificent and Ms. Redgrave is at her best. The tranquility of the time will amaze you. The world outside seems to be quickly falling apart as life goes on for the people in the film. If you want to enjoy a few moments of fun with a clever, delightful film this will be perfect.

The place in which they are staying does exist but not as a Hotel.

If you want to know why people like George Clooney fell in love with Lake Como, see this film.

It captured my wife and I from the very beginning.

Hollywood is rediscovering this region of Italy. (the Hotel in this movie is the place where Bond recovers from attack in Casino Royale and also part of a Stars movie)