for directing and for the performances. for flavor of atmosphere and for the crumbs of humor. for a kind of innocence who gives delicacy and soft nuances to many scenes. for the historical errors. and for Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. a film who seduce. that seems be the purpose and every criticism's attempt seems not fair. because it is a dramatic fairy tale. not great but comfortable for present the start of war in delicate nuances. a film who remains , after its end, lovely memory. because it propose small stories, far to be heroic but predictable, interesting characters and delicate travel across a man looking his sense in a different world. a film who is far to be pink but who could be, for a part of public, a kind of soup for soul. with bitter herbs, of course.

Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones) amply demonstrates that he understands how to tell a great story. There are no tense action sequences to drag missing plot elements along. Just a well told story masterfully acted by (arguably) some of the best female actors in cinema history.One surprising element is how music seamlessly integrates into the narrative. Although the person performing the pieces isn't actually playing, the illusion is good enough.For people with very short attention spans or requiring fast paced action, this film just isn't for you. This is no action flick. It is a charming story of how a chance house guest changes the lives of the sisters and their town.For anyone wanting a quiet evening of even-paced, masterfully acted, work of film: it is a sure bet.

A true labour of love for writer/director Charles Dance, LADIES IN LAVENDER is a low key historical romance that explores an unusual love triangle that takes in pre-WW2 Cornwall. It's one of those films that's all about feelings and subtlety, so although there's virtually nothing in the way of on-screen action, it gets across a mood and feeling to be sufficiently watchable.A couple of lonely spinsters have their lives put into disarray when a young German is washed up on their beach, badly injured. He recuperates at their home, where one of them soon falls in love with him and convinces the other that he's Polish rather than German. Meanwhile, the arrival of a Russian girl in the village spells further trouble...The first half of this film brings to light a kind of wistful, nostalgic atmosphere for forgotten times when things were simpler. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith play to type, but both are good when they get to the heart and humanise their characters in later scenes. Dance's hands-off direction allows the story to play itself out at a leisurely pace, and I admit that I was gently enthralled. Daniel Bruhl (INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS) is a nice choice to play the German character. Later, attempts at intrigue with the Natasha McElhone character - as pretty as she is - don't really go anywhere and the plot falters a little. Still, the music scenes are delightful and at least the story never betrays itself, even if the ending is rather slight.

An often breathtakingly acted project, Ladies in Lavender is a terrible disappointment. The story seems like a smouldering English tale of love and duty cracking heads. Ultimately it becomes a pleasant, well-observed but deflating tale about being English.Maggie Smith and Judi Dench may not be beyond criticism - no one is - but that means that there should be vigorous forelock tugging as they turn in yet more first class acting, irrespective of price, project or peers. I really recommend this film for seeing a great cross section of other super English actors: I remember thinking, 'yeah, but they forgot Jimmy Yuill' and then even he pops up in cameo. Nice.Daniel Brühl and Natascha McElhone are good they can't match the bucolic ease or the 'indigenous Cornish'. They are naturally outsiders though. The biggest problem - and it is a serious issue - is the determined romanticism of Dance, the director. I found the cadential slo-mos ofputting. The story (on paper) also needs the bite of backstory. 4/10