It seems to have been raining here for days and it is forecast all weekend. there is not much to do in the countryside when it's raining. Curling up on the sofa, with wine and nibbles, watching a great film is always a good option. So I have decided start the first of my 'Eight Films For A Rainy Weekend' series.
To kick off this series I am choosing escapist films shot in Italy, I have chosen these films for the wonderful locations, strong story lines and fabulous casts.
Up At The Villa
Starring Kristen Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, Derek Jacobi, Anne Bancroft
Mary Panton (Kristin Scott Thomas), beautiful, English, and widowed too young, is visiting friends among the ex-pats in pre-war Tuscany. When an old friend, Sir Edgar Swift, arrives to propose to her, Mary is neither surprised nor displeased. Despite her lack of passion, he is elegant and she looks forward to the stability and comfort life with him in India where he is to be the Governor of Bengal. She is, however, intrigued by a newly-arrived American visitor, Rowley Flint whose dishevelled charms are seductive despite being well-practised. Will Mary follow her head or her heart?
The Wings Of The Dove
Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roache, Alison Elliott, Charlotte Rampling, Elizabeth McGovern
Highly acclaimed The wings Of A dove is a provocative tale of passion, temptation, and greed. Helena Bonham Carter delivers a stunning, award-winning performance as Kate, a beautiful young society woman whose desire for a common journalist (Linus Roache) presents her with an impossible decision: leave him, or marry -- and face a life of poverty. Events take an unexpected twist, however, when Kate befriends a lonely young heiress (Alison Elliott) whose own tragic secret offers an irresistible but dangerous solution.
My House In Umbria
Starring Maggie Smith, Ronnie Barker, Chris Cooper, Benno Fürmann, Giancarlo Giannini 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.
Tea With Mussolini
Starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Cher, Lily TomlinFlorence, Italy, on the brink of WWII: it was a time of social unrest and, of course...afternoon tea. Pre-war Florence is the place to be for any proper British woman who relishes culture and the arts. These ladies have everything they could ever want or need including a promise from dictator Mussolini himself that not even the imminent world war will impose upon their lifestyle. But when it appears that his word is not kept, and these expatriates who chose to stay in Italy instead of seeking refuge in their own country are in trouble, it takes a young outcast boy and a brazen American woman (Cher) to keep them in the high life and out of harm's way.
Stealing Beauty
Starring Jeremy Irons, Liv Tyler, Carlo Cecchi, Sinéad Cusack, Joseph Fiennes
Director Bernardo Bertolucci explores one girl's personal journey into womanhood in this romantic adventure starring Liv Tyler and Jeremy Irons.
A Room With A View
Starring Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Day-Lewis, Julian Sands, Judi Dench
Nominated for eight Oscars in 1986, including Best Picture, and winner of three (Costumes, Art Direction and Adapted Screenplay), A Room With a View is the film that defined Merchant-Ivory as the masters of the romantic period piece. A brilliant adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel, A Room With a View tells the story of the coming of age of Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter). Longing to burst free from the repression of British upper class manners and mores, she must wrestle with her inner romantic longings to choose between the passionate George (Julian Sands) and the priggish but socially suitable Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis). Boasting a brilliant supporting cast, A Room With a View is one of the most romantic of romantic comedies ever filmed.
Enchanted April
Starring Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson, Alfred Molina, Neville Phillips, Jim Broadbent Two proper Englishwomen, determined to get away from their drab lives and inattentive husbands, find paradise among the serene countryside of the Italian Rivera in this enchanting adventure staring Josie Lawrence and Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire).
When the pair rents a magnificent villa for a month, they share expenses with two unlikely companions an austere widow and a bored socialite. At first, personalities clash, but the hideaway holds a special magic that soon sparks friendships and reminds the women of ways to live and love that have long eluded them.
Life Is Beautiful
Starring Roberto Benigni, Claudio Alfonsi, Lidia Alfonsi, Gil Baroni, Massimo Bianchi, Sergio
Bini Bustric
An inspired motion picture masterpiece, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL was nominated for 7 Academy Awards winning 3 Oscars, including one for Best Actor Robert Benigni. In this extraordinary tale, Guido (Benigni) a charming but bumbling waiter who's gifted with a colourful imagination and an irresistible sense of humour has won the heart of the woman he loves and created a beautiful life for his young family. But then, that life threatened by World War II ... and Guido must rely on those very same strengths to save his beloved wife and son from an unthinkable fate! Honoured with an overwhelming level of critical acclaim, this truly exceptional, utterly unique achievement will lift your spirits and capture your heart!
There were more I could have added, I could have gone on and on, but I think these are some of best.
Wishing you all a fabulous weekend.
