Enchanted April (1991)

Enchanted with the peace and tranquility of her new surroundings, Lottie longs to share her joy with her husband. When he arrives, Lottie urges Rose to invite her husband as well, but Rose fears that her husband, an author of racy novels under a pen name, will not come. Imagine her surprise when he shows up immediately. Of course, the catch is that he had no idea his wife was there but was hoping to have a dalliance with Lady Caroline.

In the peaceful Italian sun, marriages heal, new love blossoms, and unlikely friendships are born. The movie is light, filled with delicious humor and profound sentiments to stir your heart and soul.

Most enchanting of all may be the beautiful scenes filmed on location in Portofino. This is a great movie for self-medication in the gloom of winter when you want to seek greener pastures or just plain wonderful any day.


Be Enchanted...   August 8, 2005
Mark J. Fowler (Orange Park, Florida USA)
79 out of 85 found this review helpful

Mike Newell's film casts a seductive, mesmerizing spell on its audience. I strongly encourage you to see it if you have not.

Josie Lawrence leads a strong cast as Lottie Wilkins, a dowdy London housewife who we meet in the film's first frames trudging through post-WW I London. We meet Alfred Molina as her overbearing husband, Mellersh, who eyes all relationships as potential business opportunities, and sees his wife as not much more than a pet.

Lottie is riding on the bus in the dreary rain one day when she sees an advertisement on the back of the paper for an Italian Castle to be let for the month of April among the "Wisteria and Sunshine". Lottie's life hasn't allowed her much love or friendship, but she decides that she MUST take this April Holiday at San Salvatori. She approaches Rose Arbuthnot, who she barely knows, but has seen looking sad at Church services.

Rose is played by Miranda Richardson in a performance that suggests, if anything, that she has had her happiness even more suppressed than Lottie. Her husband, Arthur, is played by Jim Broadbent in full ruddy-faced glory. Arthur is a hedonistic author who writes pulpy trash novels with names like "Theodocia, the Slave Princess". He also chases after other young women who come closer to meeting his ideal of fun than his pious wife.

Lottie and Rose secure the rent of the villa and decide to advertise for a couple of other ladies to share the expense. Joan Plowright plays Mrs. Fisher, an older lady who grew up bouncing on the knee of the great English Poets of the day. Blundering Lottie asks "Oh, did you know Keats?" a century and a half after Keat's day.

"No", Mrs. Fisher replies with disdain. "And I didn't know Shakespeare or Chaucer either."

Polly Walker is the poster-girl of the group as Lady Caroline Dester, daughter of an extremely rich and aristocratic English Lord. Caroline moves in the most social of circles, but she has grown tired of being around men who paw and grab after her. She just wants a little time to "smooth her feathers".

Michael Kitchen plays George Briggs, the owner of the Italian Castle. Mr. Briggs is something of a mystery, as it appears that he is a wealthy English businessman, but he is also a gifted musician in addition to owning an Italian Castle, complete with a full staff. He is extremely short-sighted and doesn't bother to keep his immediate surroundings tidy. His few scenes are among the best of the movie.

These 4 ladies converge upon the Italian Castle and there... magic happens. I could go into detail, but I'd spoil you the pleasure of finding out for yourself. There are several times when the plot throws a wrench into the works, and in a different, lesser story, the movie would have degenerated into hysterical "drama". The way this film reveals and resolves these confrontations is like.... a breath of fresh Italian breeze through the Wisteria. I would ask only that you consider the shots of the moon in the penultimate scene - consider what the size and location of the moon means with regard to the tone of what is happening in the scene in the foreground. It is delightful.

If you can watch "Enchanted April" and not be charmed I feel truly sorry for you. It is on my very short list of very favorite films.

It is inexcusable that such a fine, recent release is not available on dvd.


Open letter to Paramount   April 24, 2006
Tim Brain (WA United States)
51 out of 53 found this review helpful

DVD Release Coordinator,
Paramount Studios,
5555 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038

Dear Sir/Madam,

We're fed up with the endless parade of drivel turned rapidly over to DVD, while a beloved classic like Enchanted April, favorite of so many, languishes 15 years and seemingly STILL without even a US DVD release date.

What are you thinking? Have you even checked the length of Amazon's waiting list for this? Please release Enchanted April on Region 1 DVD as an urgent priority.

While you're at it, just this once, let's bypass the standard fullscreen-only, budget transfer, extras lacking, scene deleted, poorly menued, cheaply packaged throwaway release and go straight to an edition actually worth owning. Yes we will pay for it.



Still waiting for this on DVD:   February 1, 2007
operamaryc (DIAMOND BAR, CA United States)
39 out of 39 found this review helpful

Thank goodness I purchased this on laser disc and can still watch it. And, watch it I do about 3 to 4 times a year just because it makes me feel really good. It is in my top 5 favorite movies of all time! (I'm 65 so that covers a lot of movies! Great cast, great acting the perfect balance of visuals is achieved in gorgeous Italy. Somehow you almost feel the sun and smell the flowers. At least you'll want to call your travel agent after first viewing this marvelous movie. Buy it on VHS if that's all you can because it isn't out on DVD in US yet and may never be. A shame! Such junk can get exposure on DVD and a lovely film like this with some of the best actors in England can't. Buy it! Everyone I've shown it to just loves it!


A movie with pericoloso and understanding   November 15, 2003
B. Chandler (Arlington, Texas)
26 out of 30 found this review helpful

Over the years some people become more fun and interesting. On the other hand some become staunch and passionless. Seems that Lottie (Josie Lawrence) picked the latter to marry. One day at her club she sees an advertisement to rent an Italian villa for a month she shows this to a friend Rose (Miranda Richardson) and offers to share the cost.
This leads to a great adventure with the beautiful Italian villa "San Salvatore."
The story is well written and could have made a good play as it has all the elements of understanding and misunderstanding. Even some explosive scenes.
There all the characters, looking for a retreat from life, find each other again; for some the first time. You will find yourself wanting it to go on.

Frida