I thoroughly enjoyed this pleasant period piece about four women who re-connect to themselves in a magical place. In the dreary London winter following WWI, a lonely, stifled housewife (Josie Lawrence) sees an advertisement for an Italian castle for rent during the month of April. She accosts another woman (Miranda Richardson), whom she says is obviously miserable, and slowly convinces her to split the rent with her. After they realize how much of their “nest eggs” a month in Italy will take, they advertise for two more roommates. They end up with a bored (and boring) debutante (Joan Plowright) and a crotchety old widow (Polly Walker).
The arrival at the castle brings them to heaven. Each woman has a chance to re-evaluate her life, and we hear each person’s thoughts at various points. Though the instigator of the whole adventure declares that “the first act should be a kiss,” and she does, in fact, kiss her new friend, the women don’t embark on a lesbian affair. (Thank God. It’s refreshing to watch a film that sticks to the issues of the characters rather than embarking on a political agenda.)
Soon, the women are inviting guests from their lives in London to stay with them—with some surprising results. The owner of the castle shows up to check on the women and falls in love, based on the sound of the girl’s voice. Finally, with all the roses blooming, the whole happy troop heads home, full of the magic of the place.
This was a great story, well told. Miranda Robinson and Joan Plowright both won Golden Globes for the film in 1993; Enchanted April was also nominated for three Academy Awards in 1992. Due to the shifting points-of-view and the top-notch acting, the audience empathizes with each character. The setting, always important in a period piece, is superb. Thanks to the lovely locations, I’m now drooling over Italian tour guides and wondering about the magic in our special places.
If you like a period piece with a great story and even better acting, don’t let this one pass you by. Enchanting Aprils bring merry Mays.
Reviewed by Adrin Fisher
