Enchanted April

This movie is, quite simply, a classic. Imagine my surprise when I discovered, upon seeking for a DVD copy to gift a friend who has been ignorant of it all these years, that DVDs of this excellent little gem are not to be had. That seems to be a trend, as several movies that are must-haves in my collection have not been released to DVD. I've been perfectly happy with my VHS copy for years but it can't last forever - I was astounded to discover how much it was worth. But enough of the financial, practical side of this issue. Someone else said it well...when one is at the bottom spiritually, when the day is dark, when it is February and it has been spitting snow steadily for three days, THIS is the movie for you. I have wanted to go to Italy in the Springtime since I saw this movie in an art cinema when it first came out. It has always worked as a sinecure for depression for me (I found a $20 bill in the lobby the day I went to see it at the cinema!); the personifications of the four women at the heart of the story are absolutely superb. Lottie and Rose, the two caged-up housewives in post-war London, struggling to find some answer to the whys of life in charity work; the lonely old woman (played with great style by Joan Plowright), clinging to her memories of long-dead poets; and the bored, titled socialite (played well by Polly Walker), looking for a stimulus away from her stagnant, well-bred life full of ennui. They all stumble into an unlikely partnership in the renting of an Italian villa for a month and in that time learn more about themselves and the world they must live in than they ever thought possible. And the backdrop is stunning. I so want to visit this place. With every viewing of this movie I feel a deep peace and contentment. Everyone within the confines of the story blooms. The setting - and the personal discoveries - are pure magic. I always feel rather as if I have just gone on holiday when I watch it. This is truly one of those movies that belongs on the shelf of every movie buff, if not for how good it makes you feel, at least for the excellent acting of every member of the cast. If it takes purchasing a VHS copy to enjoy it, by all means. I hope at some point, however, it gains DVD status.

Wonderful movie. Don't be put off by the rainy scenes. It gets very sunny. Better than the book. Great acting. I call it a happy movie.

Excellent acting, superb cinematography, a location that makes you want to go there tomorrow, a sweet and thought-provoking story, humor and dry English jokes... what more could one want? This movie was perfectly casted and one of the best adaptations of a book to screen that I have ever seen... utterly faithful to the story and tone. (You can get the text of the book free from the Gutenberg Project online.) It's one of those stories where nothing happens, yet it leaves you changed. The crises are internal, and their resolution is subtle, sweet, and yet provokingly deep. You won't enjoy this movie if you don't like thinking about relationships and the beauty of love, but if you do, you will never forget it and you will want to watch it at least twice. I have been waiting for years to see this video published in DVD version, and it was well worth the wait. I only wish I had sold my video on ebay while it was still worth $25!!

It's a lovely movie... even after all these years I enjoy seeing it. Very good performances by Polly Walker, Miranda Richardson, Josie Lawrence and the great Joan Plowright. The scenery is beautifully filmed, and made me want to travel.... Surprisingly funny at times, as well as touching... Enjoy!

This is a new DVD in original case, seal never broken

I first saw Enchanted April in a theater and like to watch it around April 1 every year, but my VHS tape got shredded so I ordered a DVD from Amazon. LOVE the visual presentation, and enjoyed it so much I wanted to read the book. Not much left out of the movie except deeper explanations of characters and their motivations that add to its interest. Actors are a good 10 years older than author's characters, which does not detract from the story's charm. SPOILER: Briggs' and Caroline's relationship in the movie is a much better fit for the story. A must for your DVD collection.

Sadly, Americans don't make movies like this. It's tone is, at first, desparate... in both a frantic and resolved way... much like the two ladies who first appear in it: Rose Arbuthnot (played by Miranda Richardson) and Lottie Wilkins (played by Josie Lawrence). The frantically desparate Rose finally convinces the prudish and woefully resolved Lottie (a church acquaintance only) to rent an Italian Chateau "castle" on the Mediterranean and get away from their ho-hum husbands. This castle being advertised in the local paper as available for the month of April -- Post war Italy being the problem for the castle owner here. Rose and Lottie cannot afford the sum on their own so they advertise for and interview two other women to share the holiday with them. Their partners on holiday ultimately turn out to be a very crusty old widow, played by Joan Plowright and a lonely, but beautiful aristocratic socialite who is too often left alone by her married lover. The tone of the movie soon changes with the weather. Leaving rainy England in Spring to awaken on sun bleached sheets and the sun nearly blinding you even through solid wood shutters... in Southern Italy no less! Truly an escape we could all use right now! Rose gulps in the fragrance of the flowers, the salt air and the view from her room... not to mention the perfectly brewed cup of aromatic tea and morning crumpet. LIVING LIFE as it should be in April in this well-appointed and pleasantly staffed castle is entirely without challenge.... even given the challenges. All surmountable, be assured. But I can't give them away here. Given the different tastes, styles and preferences of these four ladies, it appears that the castle has plenty of room for them to grow... and bloom... again. Warm, sunny days, languishing seaside and napping for many hours in the splendid Italian meadows and mossy rocks -- all have a soulful effect on the quartet, and then on the men in their lives who make a surprise visit along with the castle's owner. Chick flick? YES! But my husband enjoyed it as well. Attention all men! If you want to earn major points and change the mood of your overwhelmed woman, bring home some flowers and this movie... serve with a warm cup of tea and honey or glass of red wine.

Excellent, hartwarming, uplifting! I've been waiting for years to replace my VHS with the DVD. I was finally rewarded!

Film bello: poetico e delicato, storia semplice ma incisiva. Molto bravi gli interpreti, e l'inglese degli inglesi è un piacere da ascoltare, e con i sottotitoli in inglese la comprensione è assicurata.

Film merveilleux. Un must have. Très contente de mon achat.

Los actores,el setting,la trama hacen que sea una pelicula unica e inolvidable.Todo un placer.

This is a beautiful and touching movie. Not just stunningly shot and acted, but the story is a sensitive one. A few women thrown together by destiny, all with their own baggage and not really well matched and one after the other opens up, enjoys life, the landscape and above all, their company. It's a slow movie and I find it perfect for our fast times and need constant stimulation and action. You will certainly need to be the type for that sort of movie, but if you like the more artistic genre with not too much action, but with a message, this is for you!

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