A Month by the Lake (C+ or 2/4 stars)
John Irving's elegant, if somewhat misguided 1995 light romantic comedy, 'A Month by the Lake', tells a curious love story set at a picturesque Italian resort on Lake Como in 1937. For 16 yrs., Miss Bentley (Vanessa Redgrave), a sophisticated spinster in her 50s, has spent her April holiday at said hotel. This year, her London society artist father has passed away, & the only other English-speaking guest are some arrogant Americans. Her interest is piqued when Major Wilshaw (Edward Fox), an English factory owner, check into the idyllic resort/villa and, she is instantaneously attracted to him.
However, her behavioral quirks & superb talents at both swimming & tennis throw him for a loop. And so, he decides to pursue the much younger - and much taller - Miss Beaumont (Uma Thurman), an American working as a nanny for a rich Italian couple. Bored, Miss Beaumont takes some enjoyment in flirting with the major, whose libido is awoken for the 1st time in many years. Will his ego be bruised is Miss Beaumont refuses him, and can Miss Bentley swoop-in for the proverbial kill?
This is a strange film for me to critique. On one hand, I love the cast, I love the locales, I love the 1930s era, I love that the film is I love Nicola Piovani's charming music score, & I love Pasqualino De Santis' painterly cinematography. The film lovingly reminds me of another film from 3 yrs. prior to this: Enchanted April. On the other hand, I feel like the director doesn't have a grasp on the script; misjudging how to 'direct' the actors as to what tone to play the material. These are expert thespians - including the great Alida Valli & Alessandro Gassmann - and yet, the performances come across as hammy {there's lots of banter that misses the mark}. Furthermore, the costumes & hair-dos have a contemporary feel that doesn't match 1930s Italy.
Vanessa Redgrave is absolutely luminous as the wry, patient, & creative Miss Bentley; a woman convinced that Maj. Wilshaw is her last chance for happiness. That said, the script calls for Redgrave to be kinda goofy, at times, and she comes off looking a touch foolish, to me. Edward Fox 'should' have come across as delightfully stuffy as the workaholic major who learns to let himself go. But again, Fox, a stellar actor, plays the major as something of a grinning imbecile. And Uma Thurman's flirtatious Miss Beaumont - who ends up being Miss Bentley's ally - doesn't appear to know what emotion she really wants to convey at any given moment. Thurman's career has included fantastic performances, bizarre performances, and this one felt like it was out-to-sea; most likely due to the aforementioned directing.
None of the actors are wholly believable in their roles. And nearly everything they said or did felt exaggerated. Perhaps I blame the editing, as well; because the reaction shots from character-to-character in any given scene also feels misjudged. I dunno. I appreciate that this movie tries to capture the essence of pre-WWII Europe, the joys of Italian life, & the unpredictability of love. I enjoy films like this and, there certainly are elements & stretches that are humorous {a boating scene}, uplifting, amusing & lovely. I don't really blame the actors. But 'A Month by the Lake' is one peculiar movie.
However, her behavioral quirks & superb talents at both swimming & tennis throw him for a loop. And so, he decides to pursue the much younger - and much taller - Miss Beaumont (Uma Thurman), an American working as a nanny for a rich Italian couple. Bored, Miss Beaumont takes some enjoyment in flirting with the major, whose libido is awoken for the 1st time in many years. Will his ego be bruised is Miss Beaumont refuses him, and can Miss Bentley swoop-in for the proverbial kill?
This is a strange film for me to critique. On one hand, I love the cast, I love the locales, I love the 1930s era, I love that the film is I love Nicola Piovani's charming music score, & I love Pasqualino De Santis' painterly cinematography. The film lovingly reminds me of another film from 3 yrs. prior to this: Enchanted April. On the other hand, I feel like the director doesn't have a grasp on the script; misjudging how to 'direct' the actors as to what tone to play the material. These are expert thespians - including the great Alida Valli & Alessandro Gassmann - and yet, the performances come across as hammy {there's lots of banter that misses the mark}. Furthermore, the costumes & hair-dos have a contemporary feel that doesn't match 1930s Italy.
Vanessa Redgrave is absolutely luminous as the wry, patient, & creative Miss Bentley; a woman convinced that Maj. Wilshaw is her last chance for happiness. That said, the script calls for Redgrave to be kinda goofy, at times, and she comes off looking a touch foolish, to me. Edward Fox 'should' have come across as delightfully stuffy as the workaholic major who learns to let himself go. But again, Fox, a stellar actor, plays the major as something of a grinning imbecile. And Uma Thurman's flirtatious Miss Beaumont - who ends up being Miss Bentley's ally - doesn't appear to know what emotion she really wants to convey at any given moment. Thurman's career has included fantastic performances, bizarre performances, and this one felt like it was out-to-sea; most likely due to the aforementioned directing.
None of the actors are wholly believable in their roles. And nearly everything they said or did felt exaggerated. Perhaps I blame the editing, as well; because the reaction shots from character-to-character in any given scene also feels misjudged. I dunno. I appreciate that this movie tries to capture the essence of pre-WWII Europe, the joys of Italian life, & the unpredictability of love. I enjoy films like this and, there certainly are elements & stretches that are humorous {a boating scene}, uplifting, amusing & lovely. I don't really blame the actors. But 'A Month by the Lake' is one peculiar movie.