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

Gross USA:

$2,933,161

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,740,113

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

Final acting role of Barbara Hicks.

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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

Referenced in Possible Loves (2001)

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Soundtracks

Schatz-Walzer
Composzed by Johann Strauss

User Reviews

More enjoyable than some reviewers would have you believe

I was intrigued when this film showed up on the day's TV roster and even more intrigued when I found out who the cast are and read a quick synopsis of the story. Most of the reviewers here, at IMDB, have made the movie sound dreadful. I found it hard to believe that anything with Sean Penn and Kristin Scott Thomas would be awful and had to check out the film for myself. My conclusion -- it is quite good, engaging, and definitely worth watching.

The lead actors as well as most of the supporting cast are rather wonderful. Though, I wish that someone slightly more dashing and not so limp played the role of the Austrian student, even if the stumbling manner and sudden onset of neurosis are required of the part. The scenery is inviting; the sets are great; the variety of accents is interesting; some of the extras are a bit shaky. The film is not so much about the setting, the era, or the social/political/economic spheres, though all of these have a firm bearing on the events and characters. It is chiefly about human actions under pressure of circumstances, about relationships, flights of fancy, slip-ups, weaknesses, trust and emotional maneuvering. "Up at the Villa" addresses these topics as good as any other period film.

I recommend this movie to those who, like I, enjoyed more than one of the following:

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Gosford Park

Howards End

Country Life

The Wings of the Dove

A Room with a View

The Remains of the Day