I need to add my praise to these other positive reviews. This is one of the rare films that could not be improved in any way.Everything works in perfect harmony; the script, the performances (impossible to pick out highlights, everyone is great), the camera-work, editing, music and the breathtaking setting.If you love violence, adrenaline, jeopardy, terror or guns you may wish to pass on this film, and so avoid writing inappropriate, negative reviews.If you are in the mood for the kind of uplifting emotional therapy that can only be found in a warm, nuanced, and profoundly human film this is unmissable.

This is a slight but charming film, an adaptation of the book by Elizabeth von Arnim. It tells the story of four disparate ladies in 1920s England who go to holiday in Italy on to a coastal castle.Mrs Arbuthnot and Mrs Wilkins, both in unhappy marriages, who belong to the same club become acquainted after reading a newspaper advertisement for a 'small medieval Italian castle' during the month April. To help with finances they take on two other ladies, the older Mrs Fisher and aloof Lady Dester.The climate and the castle eventually start to have an effect on the four women. It leads to rejuvenation in the enchanted beauty of their surroundings and their perceptions of love is rediscovered.The four actresses are fantastic with Polly Walker being the stand out, she looked enchanting.

A dud and a bore. Evidently I am not a "play" type person.I am sorry but 4 middle aged women wondering about love and relationships with their husbands is boring period. Give it a feminist twist a couple poorly cast characters and you get either sleep or torture.I particularly found the "beautiful" woman Caroline Dexter bothersome people who think they are beautiful and aren't are such a turn off.... but wouldn't this be the director's fault?During the first 5 minutes of the movie I should have followed my impulse to turn it off when I saw the feminist twist to it = a shy woman is going against all custom and going on a high adventure holiday without her husband (renting castle like villa in Italy with 4 other women a la golden girls). Is there such a category as yuppie feminist boring fluff with pretenses of depth?There was nothing deep or interesting in this thing... even the most boring soap opera has a story this of course was "above" all that.Avoid like the plague

I absolutely loved this movie. I am not even sure what particularly about it but I think it was wonderful and should be available for DVD. The women were strangers and yet got along well enough to spend the time they did in the Villa in Italy. The actors, in my opinion, did an excellent job. The characters were all so different and yet clever story that made it work. There is humor, drama and relationship issues all in good time. This requires 10 lines but I just can't think of any more to say so I will just rattle on until I get 10 lines. So sorry about this. What else can I possibly say it has been a long time since I last saw it. I am looking forward to view again but it isn't available.