Up at the Villa (2000)

A widow finds choosing a new husband might not be her choice at all, as the actions of her various prospects confine her freedom.

Director:

Philip Haas

Writers:

W. Somerset Maugham (book), Belinda Haas (screenplay)

Stars:

Kristin Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, Anne Bancroft

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Mary Panton
Sean Penn	...	Rowley Flint
Anne Bancroft	...	Princess San Ferdinando
James Fox	...	Sir Edgar Swift
Jeremy Davies	...	Karl Richter
Derek Jacobi	...	Lucky Leadbetter
Massimo Ghini	...	Beppino Leopardi
Dudley Sutton	...	Harold Atkinson
Lorenza Indovina	...	Nina
Roger Hammond	...	Colin Mackenzie
Clive Merrison	...	Archibald Grey
Linda Spurrier	...	Hilda Grey
Ben Aris	...	Col. Trail
Anne Ridler	...	Lady Trail
Ann Bell	...	Beryl Bryson (as Anne Bell)

Storyline

Superficial people are revealed and drastically changed by circumstance or luck in this a tale of death, seduction, blackmail and theft among British and Americans in Florence in the turbulent days just before World War II.

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Plot Keywords:

coverup | police corruption | flower | tree | shooting oneself | 

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Taglines:

Danger is the ultimate attraction.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Il suffit d'une nuit

Filming Locations:

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$339,819, 7 May 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,927,319, 3 September 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

October Films, Intermedia Films, Mirage Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cameo: Mel Brooks can be seen in the train station at the end of the movie, holding hands with two little girls and running. Brooks was married to Anne Bancroft.

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Goofs

When Anne Bancroft's character is reclining in the chaise lounge, the level of her drink goes from nearly full to nearly empty and back to nearly full in different shots while she is drinking it.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Gladiator/Up at the Villa/Committed/I Dreamed of Africa/The Virgin Suicides (2000)

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Soundtracks

Schatz-Walzer
Composzed by Johann Strauss

User Reviews

Beautiful sets & music, weak script, so-so acting

My summary above, just about sums my opinion up. This is based on a W.Somerset Maugham novella, If so the writers sure did not make it seem like any Maugham story I ever read. The first 3/4 hours are Ok & seem like a Maugham story then it goes downhill fast into melodrama, with all the required overacting dramatics that this well known cast can muster. Kristin Scott Thomas is the lead,(cross between Bette Davis & Gene Tierney) Sean Penn is a charming gigolo type & very subdued & with a very strange accent,(at least it is understandable. Jeremy Davies is a young refugee who sets off all the ensuing drama, with a bad accent. Anne Bancroft overacts as usual as the countess who knows all the secrets. James Fox is a usual a pompous --- cant he play anything else.

If you like beautiful scenery & sets, see this otherwise, give it a pass, My rating is **1/2

as always

jay harris