"A Month by the Lake" is a light comedy and drama about a love late in life for two Brits. It's set in 1937 around beautiful Lake Como, the deep glacial lake in the sub-Alps of Italy and Switzerland. The story is told through the eyes of Miss Bentley who has vacationed at the lake for years since 1913 with her father. He has died recently and this is her first time back at the lake.
Miss Bentley is known by the staff of the villa-hotel where she stays, and she is a student of life. She befriends others who come to stay at the villa. This year, she meets a single Englishman, retired Army Major Wilshaw. Also in the mix this year are an Italian family with an American nanny, Miss Beaumont, some loud Americans, and local young Italian males.
Vanessa Redgrave and Edward Fox are the seniors who meet and eventually come together. Their many years of single life lead to deep love eventually. This happens after the major is brought to life by the teasing of the young Miss Beaumont, played by Uma Thurman. This is a delightful story of life and single people coming together late in life. The two fine British performers shine in this enjoyable light melodrama. Fox plays a somewhat stuffy Brit - no one can do that better than he. Redgrave is a bouncy and perky spinster who's gentle passion is slowly awakened.
The movie is based on a short story of the same title by H.E. (Herbert Ernest) Bates (1905-1975), a prolific English author. Bates wrote more than two dozen novels, several volumes of short stories, numerous collections of essays and non-fiction works, and several children's books. Various of his works have been been made into movies and popular British TV serials. Among these have been "The Purple Plain" of 1947, "Love for Lydia" of 1952, and "The Darling Buds of May" of 1958.
This is a movie that allows viewers to slow down from the usual fast-paced action stuff of today. It gives modern audiences a chance to see quality acting by two great talents of the English stage and cinema.
Miss Bentley is known by the staff of the villa-hotel where she stays, and she is a student of life. She befriends others who come to stay at the villa. This year, she meets a single Englishman, retired Army Major Wilshaw. Also in the mix this year are an Italian family with an American nanny, Miss Beaumont, some loud Americans, and local young Italian males.
Vanessa Redgrave and Edward Fox are the seniors who meet and eventually come together. Their many years of single life lead to deep love eventually. This happens after the major is brought to life by the teasing of the young Miss Beaumont, played by Uma Thurman. This is a delightful story of life and single people coming together late in life. The two fine British performers shine in this enjoyable light melodrama. Fox plays a somewhat stuffy Brit - no one can do that better than he. Redgrave is a bouncy and perky spinster who's gentle passion is slowly awakened.
The movie is based on a short story of the same title by H.E. (Herbert Ernest) Bates (1905-1975), a prolific English author. Bates wrote more than two dozen novels, several volumes of short stories, numerous collections of essays and non-fiction works, and several children's books. Various of his works have been been made into movies and popular British TV serials. Among these have been "The Purple Plain" of 1947, "Love for Lydia" of 1952, and "The Darling Buds of May" of 1958.
This is a movie that allows viewers to slow down from the usual fast-paced action stuff of today. It gives modern audiences a chance to see quality acting by two great talents of the English stage and cinema.