Enchanted April (1991 film)
Enchanted April is a 1991 film directed by Mike Newell.[1] The screenplay by Peter Barnes was adapted from Elizabeth von Arnim's 1922 novel The Enchanted April.[2] The film stars Miranda Richardson, Josie Lawrence, Polly Walker, and Joan Plowright, with Alfred Molina, Michael Kitchen, and Jim Broadbent in supporting roles.[3]
Enchanted April | |
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Directed by | Mike Newell |
Produced by |
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Written by | Peter Barnes |
Starring | |
Music by | Richard Rodney Bennett |
Cinematography | Rex Maidment |
Edited by | Dick Allen |
Distributed by | Miramax Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Box office | $13,200,170 |
Plot
Elizabeth von Arnim's novel tells of four dissimilar women in 1920s England who leave their rainy, grey environments to go on holiday in Italy. Mrs. Arbuthnot and Mrs. Wilkins, who belong to the same ladies' club, but have never spoken, become acquainted after reading a newspaper advertisement for a small medieval castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April. They find some common ground in that both are struggling to make the best of unhappy marriages. Having decided to seek other ladies to help share expenses, they reluctantly take on the elegant but peevish elderly Mrs. Fisher, and the stunning, aloof, and very wealthy Lady Caroline Dester. The four women come together at the castle and, after many unexpected twists and turns, find rejuvenation in the tranquil beauty of their surroundings, rediscovering hope and love.
Cast
- Josie Lawrence as Lottie Wilkins
- Miranda Richardson as Rose Arbuthnot
- Polly Walker as Caroline Dester
- Joan Plowright as Mrs. Fisher
- Alfred Molina as Mellersh Wilkins
- Jim Broadbent as Frederick Arbuthnot
- Michael Kitchen as George Briggs
Production
The film was shot on location at Castello Brown in Portofino, Italy; the same castle where the author of the book stayed in the 1920s.[4] The score by Richard Rodney Bennett, featuring winsome flute and oboe themes, effectively evokes the film's mood and accentuates the story's sentimentality and nostalgia.[5]
Reception
The film premiered as the opening night gala of the London Film Festival on 6 November 1991.[6] It gained a positive reaction from critics and currently holds an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 31 reviews.[7]
Awards
Wins
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Miranda Richardson)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Joan Plowright)[8]
Nominations
References
- "BBC - Enchanted April - BBC Films". www.bbc.co.uk.
- Corliss, Richard (3 August 1992). "A Month in The Country" – via content.time.com.
- "Enchanted April (1992)". BFI.
- Maslin, Janet (31 July 1992). "Review/Film; In Italy, A Lourdes For the Soul" – via NYTimes.com.
- RECORDS, CHANDOS. "Chandos Records Classical Music CDs and MP3 Downloads OnLine". Chandos Records. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- Robinson, Brian (22 August 2016). "Every BFI London Film Festival opening night film". BFI. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- "Enchanted April (1992)" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
- "Enchanted April". www.goldenglobes.com.
- "The 65th Academy Awards | 1993". Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.