No, this post isn’t about yours truly, it’s about a small film called
“Enchanted April” from the early 90s which has been a favorite of mine ever since it was given to me as a birthday gift. I hadn’t watched it in a few years but just revisted it this past weekend and it is still as lovely as ever.
It’s a decidedly British film reminiscent of “A Room With a View” in that its subtlety almost seem plodding until you realize that you’ve been swept up into the narrative and find yourself wishing you were there amongst the characters. The story, which takes place just after World War I, revolves around four dissimilar women who escape from the dreariness of rainy London to a small castle in Italy for a month-long holiday (”vacation” to us Americans). Of course, describing the plot in that way is like saying the film “Stand By Me” is about four boys who go for a hike to see a dead body.
“Enchanted April” is a quiet, hopeful film about the possibilites of love and life and how we can find those things right where we are. Josie Lawrence, whom I’d originally seen in the BBC production of “Whose Line is it Anyway” is surprising and charming as the reserved Lottie that blossoms while in the Italian landscape. Wonderful actress Miranda Richardson plays Rose a devout woman who has allowed her role of do-gooder to keep her from accepting her husband with all of his flaws. Rounding out the cast is the always believeable Joan Plowright who is next to be seen in the big screen adaption of “Curious George” of all things, Alfred Molina (of “Spider-Man 2″), Jim Broadbent (last seen by me in “Moulin Rouge”), and Polly Walker.
Sadly, this film has not been rereleased on DVD but I do own a worn copy on VHS which will have to suffice in the meantime. If you don’t mind period pieces and are looking for a sweet, quiet film which shows off scenic Italy (albeit more simply than “Under the Tuscan Sun,” ) this may be a good film for you. It’s an old-fashioned, sentimental chick-flick, used here in the best sense of the term.
P.S. The book on which the film is based is available to read online. Pretty spiffy.