mattrochman I normally don't like to give low ratings to art-house films set in Europe with a strong cast. However, this film simply didn't "do it" for me and most of the blame, in my view, is directed towards the story and the way it was unfolded.To begin with, the storyline seemed to drop in and out of focuses and it all became a bit of a mish-mash. Initially, it looked like the focus would be on recovering and perhaps (though this was my instinct) the characters emerging from their ordeal with new directions and outlooks.Following this, it became more clear that the group were forming a very special attachment to the little girl as they felt she gave them a new youthful spring and perhaps a new beginning or lease on life. However, I'm convinced that the film makers simply did not flesh out this angle nearly enough. Once her uncle arrived from America, the film lent little further weight to the nature of this special bond between the survivors and rejuvenating power of her niece. Because of this, it was difficult to identify with the emotions and subsequent motives of the central characters.Maggie Smith's character descended into a bit of a drunken mess and the focus suddenly shifted to her inconsistent relationship with the uncle. The somewhat wooden performance given by Chris Cooper didn't help much, though he is generally a good performer. I suspect he was over-restrained by the director.Then suddenly, the identity of the bomber became a focus and that whole episode gave rise to the odd revelation that Maggie Smith had some sort psychic ability through her dreams.Finally, the ending and the story line generally somehow seemed to lack expected crescendos and ultimately came off as a bit flat, slightly shallow and certain parts seemed to be a bit of an excuse for the film makers to go on a self-indulgent photography run through Umbria.The fact that certain aspects of the story were not fleshed out sufficiently and the shifting focuses, resulted in a story which was missing a strong core that the viewer can latch onto and limited ability to understand the emotional "being" of the characters. You would be forgiven for leaving this film feeling as though there was something "missing" about it.

pippymac This is quiet gem of a film. The storyline is basic, almost simplistic, but the direction allows the actors to add value where it counts.Maggie Smith is delightful as the aged authoress, with a penchant for Grappa who, after a bomb explodes on a train, offer the survivors of her compartment, recuperation at her home in Umbria.The Italian countryside is simply magnificent, the photography of Maggie Smith's villa and its surrounds(or should I say Mrs Delahunter's villa) gives a beautiful feeling of a somewhat tired place of residence for a somewhat tired individual, who has been there and done that but in a rather upper class British way. There are the usual disparate individuals coming to terms (or not?) with their their problems and then we have the police inspector, trying to suss whether any of the 'guests' can help. Unfortunately this aspect of the film, particularly the dealings with the police inspector, adds little and if anything detracts from the story. It is a necessary component but I feel could have been integrated better.The supporting cast, particularly Ronnie Barker and Timothy Spall, add to the ambiance of the film and its quiet charm.Why only seven out of ten? The direction I think is a little too light in that if it were not for the calibre of the actors, this might have been a poor 'B' Movie, but perhaps that is what the Director intended by letting good acting raise the film beyond its basic storyline.This is now shown on TV, so give yourselves a treat, forget being a film reviewer and just soak up the acting and the atmosphere. If it is not on your local TV, it is worth renting for a night - just make sure you and you partner(it is essential that you and your partner watch this together) have a nice chilled glass of a sparkling Italian wine and indulge in quiet, but thoroughly pleasant entertainment.

moviemaster I gave this movie a generous "6", although it is so uneven that it probably deserves less. Yes, Maggie Smith is good to great.... and most of the acting is good. But the plot meanders badly. Plus, Mrs. Delahunty has a curious gift... her dreams are visualizations of reality, or as close as she ever come to it. This was an aspect which could have been used to much better advantage. As it was, we just assumed the dreams were just her fantasies after another drunken binge. Werner's character is complex and of course one suspects him immediately... he's the only one who could have any reason to blow up a train. But does someone who wants to blow up a plane (ooops, they got the wrong vehicle) just camp out at a palatial country home, planting flowers... or rather would he try to escape back to Germany? Would Mrs. Delahunty continue to embrace him even though she knows he's a monster? But it's worth it to watch Maggie Smith. She gives, for the most part, a very nuanced performance.

Jackie Scott-Mandeville This film would immediately appeal to anyone addicted to Maggie Smith and the idyllic Italian countryside of Umbria, but it has unexpected delights to offer in its unassuming, almost art-house, flavour, and the low-key, but affecting, performances of excellent actors Timothy Spall and Ronnie Barker. Chris Cooper is rather wooden, but his academic, unemotional character casts a strong contrast to the hapless vagaries of Maggie Smith's Emily Delahuntey, and therefore works well.Suspension of disbelief is required for the over-imaginative plot, almost out of one of Emily's romance novels. But the pleasure of such a film is simple, and simple pleasures can entertain as much as the richer, more complex enjoyment of films it might be compared with such as 'Tea With Mussolini' (which, of course, is a much fuller film in terms of plot, characters, script, and drama). 'Enchanted April' also comes to mind as another film where the Italian countryside is almost a character of the film and much more than a backdrop.A very pleasant interlude for a winter's afternoon, or Spring evening, and Maggie Smith is as mannered and original as ever. I especially loved her flowing clothes, which suited her and her character very well.