Ladies in Lavender (2004)
The story of two sisters who saved a stranger, and the stranger who stole their hearts.
Starring: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Natascha McElhone, Daniel Bruhl, Miriam Margoyles, David Warner, Toby Jones, Jack Callow, Gregor Henderson-Begg, Tom Hill, Freddie Jones, Ian Marshall, Richard Pears, Clive Russell, Scott Hinds
Director: Charles Dance
Running Time: 103 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 12a
Drama
Cornwall, 1936, and doddery old biddies Ursula and Janet (Judi Dench and Maggie Smith) face a dilemma. A storm has washed a young Polish gentleman (Daniel Bruhl) up onto the pebbled beach by their home, and they're forced to make a choice - a choice between their Christian obligation to help a man in need, and their natural deep-rooted dislike of foreigners.
Of course, being the kindly old bats that they are, they take him in, nurse him back to health, and - despite the obvious communication difficulties (maybe they should try SHOUTING AT HIM) - become close friends. Too close, in fact, as it's not long before Ursula goes all 'Harold and Maude' on us and finds herself falling for him. In fact, she starts to become a little reminiscent of those two crones who used to shriek "young man!" in the old Harry Enfield sketch, at one point even telling pal Janet "I saw him first". Unsurprisingly though, her 20-something love interest prefers having a crack at local hottie Olga (Natascha McElhone), and it's not long before poor old Ursula finds out and starts getting her bloomers in a twist.
This directorial debut from Charles Dance has a lot of charm, and features spotless performances from lead players Dench, Smith, McElhone and Bruhl. It also boasts some marvellous dialogue (Janet: "I dislike that woman intensely"; Ursulla: "Is she German?"; Janet: "I wouldn't be at all surprised.") and a touching - if slightly iunsatisfying - conclusion.
Unfortunately, I can't help but feel that its title alone is likely to result in many potential punters giving it a wide berth. Let's face it, 'Ladies in Lavender' is an appalling name for the film, not just because it bears little relevance to the plot, but because all it conjures up is images of grannies slurping down tea and gossiping about what happened to Mrs Scoggins' cat. Fair enough, there is actually quite a bit of tea-drinking going on in this movie, but it's hardly a selling point.
However, those of you who do take a chance on this quiet, thoughtful piece of cinema are unlikely to be disappointed. It doesn't exactly make the biggest of impacts, and certainly a film centring on the emotional happenings of a pair of wrinklies won't be the most attractive proposition for most movie-goers, but as a first-time effort from Dance it can only be seen as a success.
It's Got: Flowery dresses, knitting, and cups of tea.
It Needs: A bus pass, walking stick, and a set of falsers.
Alternatives: Second hand Lions, I Capture the Castle, The Pianist
Summary: You're only as old as the person you feel.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 15th November 2004
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External Links
Ladies in Lavender at the IMDB
Comments13 Comments |
| This is a pretty ageist review, obviously written by a callow youth |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 19 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| This review is as shallow as the film is not. It says a lot more about the person writing the review than it does about the film. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 21 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Obviously someone who needs sex and violence to be entertained. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 21 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Agree with the sentiments above.This 'young' critic has obviously missed all the subtleties of a beautifully made and superbly acted movie. Its worth going to see for Miriam Margolyes ( Dorcas ) alone. Surely the cameo performance of the year ! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 22 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Have you all missed the fact that the critic actually LIKED the film and gave it a good rating? What on earth are you all moaning about? Just because the guy tried to make his review a bit entertaining with a few jokes here and there doesn't mean he didn't get the film... I actually agree with everything he says. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 22 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Not entirely sure why this film was given a 12a rating for it is as innocent as it's title suggests and the story line is perfectly simple. In terms of the casting of the film, I could not help thinking that the combination of the younger generation of actors (Bruhl and McElhone) and the older generation (Dench and Smith), didn't work that well together. Having said that, the acting is as expected of very high standard. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 22 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| It is inevitable that the present generation of movie goers would fail to appreciate the subtle tones in this film. The acting is superb - worth seeing for this fact alone - and the settings in Cornwall are beautiful. The period was well captured except GB plates on the old car and the old ladies although drinking quite a lot of tea, did not seem to possess a cosy - what an ommission. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 24 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Extremely well cast film that was enchanting to watch.I found Ursula's falling in love completely plausible due to Judi Dench's fabulous acting. Many, many more films which allow the filmgoers the chance to enjoy subtlety please. Miriam Margolyes is a wonderful comic actress - I loved the scene with the "spuds". |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 24 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Yes, the acting was great, but what inplausibilities in the story! Don't "the authorities" get to be told immediately, not after the Doc. gets jealous; why should they keep the letter from him; and having done so, why then keep it? |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 29 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| This is a lovely 'old fashioned' film no sex no violence and just ONE swear word - enjoyed every minute of it and wish we could see more of the same calibre well done to everyone. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 02 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Mr. Panton, you too will one day be aged and find yourself casting a whistful eye over some beautiful young thing some 50 years your junior. The youth of the day will fnd you equally pathetic and dried up and you deserve that fate! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 15 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Debbie Barnes, the guy LIKED the film! What are you complaining about? Did you even READ the review? |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 16 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| What a shame that the reviewer's charmless literary style falls so far short of doing justice to this graceful film. So many of his comments sound so juvenile and witless. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 28 December 2004 | ip: logged |
