My House in Umbria | Maggie Smith, Ronnie Barker

My House in Umbria | Maggie Smith, Ronnie Barker | I need a ticket to Italy

DVDs:

My House in Umbria

	My House in Umbria Maggie Smith, Ronnie Barker Hbo Home Video, 2003 average customer review:based on 50 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Based on the acclaimed novel by William Trevor, My House in Umbria is a charming, evocative drama about a group of travelers in Italy who find solace and friendship after being thrown together by tragedy.

A 5-Star Gem!

What a wonderful picture!

Telling an intriguing, nuances story isn't easy; it takes genuine talent and artistic commitment on both sides of the camera.

That commitment to quality comes through loud and clear in listening to the voiceove commentary by the film's director and producer. For them the project was obviously a labor of love.

Some voiceover commentaries are rather flat and self-indulgent; but this one is, in its own way, as good as the movie itself!

The movie includes some of the finest ensemble actors around. The script is economical, lyrical and tightly-written; the casting is spot-on; and the overall mood and ambience of the film speaks movingly to the human condition.

This is the kind of movie that when you're watching it you think of it as "a-movie-that-can-just-as-easily-be-a-play." However, often the pitfall with those kinds of movies, is that what often happens is the movie then becomes too "staged," too presentational. But that's not the case here. Filmed, for the most part, on location in Italy, the movie takes full advantage of its naturalistic setting. It also, historically, "free-floats" the movie, indicating no specific historical setting. Indeed, the movie springs as much from "inside the head" of the Maggie Smith character as from the objective reality of the dialogue.

All this requires a clutch performance by Maggie Smith. But, then again, Maggie Smith is *always* superb. I think of her as the Lou Gehrig of film acting: the Iron Horse of professionalism, elegance, and wizardry. Her presence on screen is magical. If she's in a movie, see it, you won't be disappointed. She knocks in every runner on base.

Her scenes with Chris Cooper should be mandatory viewing for every film student, behind and in front of the camera.

Chris Cooper's job is to make you hiss and boo; while Maggie Smith's job is to break your heart.

There's no doubt the movie has its flaws; but compare this kind of "little gem" of a movie to the standard bill of fare the film industry regularly and grindingly produces. Personally, I'm grateful for the artistic integrity films like this represent.

~ Keep knockin' 'em in, Maggie! ~

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I need a ticket to Italy

I am a fan of Maggie Smith and this movie really showed her talent. Her clothes in this movie were fabulous! The story of the train explosion and how she took in the survivors and the family that developed out of it was just lovely. Her care for the orphaned girl was so delicate and so sad at the same time. The scenery in the movie is wonderful, as well, and makes you want to get your passport out. I liked the happy ending the best, when all are reunited.

Delivery and opinion of DVD

Product delivered quickly and in good order. DVD one of my favourite. This one a gift for a friend.

5 Stars for Maggie Smith one of the best actresses of our times

This is a movie of hope and healing.

Maggie Smith plays Mrs. Emily Delahunty, a English woman living out in the beautiful countryside of Umbria, Italy. She goes to do her monthly shopping, taking a train and there's a bomb on the train. Most of the people in the train car Mrs. D is with end up injured and once released from the hospital there is a ongoing investigation and they have nowhere to go, so they all go to recoup at the BEAUTIFUL Italian mansion of Mrs. D. (Note to myself, if I ever win the lotto that house is my very next purchase!)

The intricate playoff between the characters is interesting. The scenery is gorgeous and restful. All the actors are top notch. The little girl (Aimee, played by Emily Clarke) is adorable and I absolutely love this movie. I watch it when I need some comfort and beauty in my life.

In my own humble opinion, I believe that Maggie Smith is one of the best actresses alive on our planet today. She is a most complicated, graceful and fasinating person to watch and lends credibility to any performance that is lucky enough to be graced with her presence.

This is not an exciting shoot them up, blood and guts movie. It's a soft spoken, intricate thinking man's journey of things lost and found, injury and the process of healing.

The underlying message I got from this movie was: Maggie Smith's charactor, Mrs. D comes from a very sad and unstable background. She, like many people has her share of injuries that she has received on the journey of life. But one doesn't have to let the injuries we all receive make us miserable and mean. We can reach out, we can "be more human" we can survive and find happiness and it is sometimes when we are injured the most and reach out beyond ourselves and think of others rather then just ourselves that we find the most joy and reason for living.

It's a moving and enjoyable movie.

My only wish is we had more movies of this caliber.

Worth viewing when you've had a rough week and need some quiet comfort and beauty.

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My House In Umbria

This is a quintessential Maggie Smith movie which takes place in the beautiful Umbrian countryside. The story is tender and the movie is artful. A great way to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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