Enchanted April (1991) | Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson

Enchanted April (1991) | Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson | DVD, PLEASE, PLEASE!!

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Enchanted April (1...

	Enchanted April (1991) Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson Paramount, 1994 average customer review:based on 153 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Beautiful Dreamers

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.

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DVD, PLEASE, PLEASE!!

This is simply one of the best movies ever made. Perfect adaptation, perfect casting, perfect everything. Why it has not been put on DVD for the public is unexplainable. With today's prolification of movies containing violence, depravity and downright unpleasantness, why can't there be more that contain themes of hope, love, and yes, enchantment. Escapism? Perhaps, but then we need more movies like this that are healing to the soul.

DVD Please!

Enchanted April is a lovely, uplifting film. The cast is perfect, the setting is perfect, and it's the kind of movie the gives us hope when life isn't going as well as we would like. My daughters recommended this movie to me because they both love it. I don't understand why a DVD has not been released in the United States. I hope someone is paying attention to all the five star ratings it has received.

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For those who love Sunshine and Wisteria.....

Enchanted April (1991) (VHS)
Enchanted April (Virago Modern Classics) (Book)

For Those who love Wisteria and Sunshine...
Small Italian Castle to let for the month of April.

Finding this ad in a daily newspaper in is the "inciting incident" that starts one of my all time favorite movies (the book is wonderful as well).

In post WWI England, 2 women (well played Josie Lawrence and Miranda Richardson) find this ad. They each connect to the ad, and then they connect to each other as well. This starts the awakening, that eventually leads all who experience this place (the Italian Castle of San Salvatore) to have a deep and profound transformation.

The cinematography is very rich, and the mood is very quiet. The movie is actually a metaphor for the process that the characters go through (awakening and transformation) because watching the movie leads you (the watcher) through this very same process. I don't think it is possible to really watch this movie and not be affected.

This is a very well constructed film. The cast is marvelous, the cinematography breath-taking, and the music is very moving. It is amazing how little is actually said in the movie, and yet how much more is actually communicated because of this.

This is one of the few movies I have ever seen, where I found that the one change they made for the movie, that differed from the book, actually made the story work better. I greatly prefer to see Mr. Briggs as "rather short sighted" and therefore dependent on seeing how people are on the inside, to the original idea of infatuation by great beauty.

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Loves revived in the Italian sun

ENCHANTED APRIL is a very pensive and subtle approach to the awakenings of love for the disenchanted.Vacation does wonders for four women from London who rent an Italian "castle" in Post WW1.What also happens is the awakenings of their husbands and other men to "complete" the couplings.Sometimes vacations awaken love and then it languishes, but others will bloom and grow like the oleander and survive the stresses of returning to London.It always seems that Italy is the cure! (hence UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN).

The performances from all principles are uniformly wonderful.IMO the movie, though a good one, still pales beside the stage play version which delves far deeper into the psyches of each character and their situation;whereas the film presents the gorgeous Italian countryside views which sacrifices some of the more substantial aspects of these delicious characters.Still, it is the only filmed version of this story.I do recommend,though, seeing the stage play if you can.

The vhs print is perfectly adequate.The PAL dvd is identical as the exact same print is used with no color restoration; and if an American release happens, no doubt it will be similar.Don't toss your tapes aside folks until something better comes along!

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