Ladies in Lavender (2004)

A film devoid of special effects or big name young stars "Ladies in Lavender" shows that even in the 21st Century you can make a quality film with fine acting as its unique selling proposition. The story is thin and the one conventionally dramatic event is over within five minutes of the start. From then on we are treated to acting of the highest quality not only by the principals Judi Dench and Maggie Smith but also by the excellent supporting cast. Daniel Bruhl and Natascha McElhone are very good as the young 'not quite' lovers and David Warner gives a moving performance as the ageing widower full of wishes but short on fulfilment. There is a small galaxy of wrinkly British acting talent supporting the leads not least amongst whom is the hilarious Miriam Margolyes as the grumpy old servant Dorcas.

A young Polish sailor is washed mysteriously ashore on the rocks near where the old sisters (Smith and Dench) live. They care for him and nurse him back to health and then his extraordinary talent as a violinist emerges. The action takes place in and around a Cornish village a few years before the outbreak of the Second World War, and the approaching war clouds are an every present feature of the story. As with the "Camomile Lawn", also set in Cornwall in the same period, and even like "Brideshead Revisited" this is a story about how life will never be the same again. From the archaic agricultural instruments to the archaic social attitudes this is a "fin de siecle" film. The sisters' lives were moulded by the First World War (one lost a husband in the conflict) and they dread that another war is near. The arrival of Andreas gives their life a purpose and fills a void that we suspect was there for a very long time.

Charles Dance's direction is controlled and credible and avoids any easy descent into sentiment. Nigel Hess's music is exceptional and the CD worth buying in its own right.

Fmovies: Both Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith gave a very striking performance. The sensitivity given by both Ladies was heartfelt. The anguish of a love lost in youth and then rekindled when a young man is washed up on the beach. Maggie Smith's performance was beyond any role that I have ever seen her in. Her character was sensitive, caring and maternal. Daniel Bruhl displayed wonder in playing the violin with such feeling, when his dream was almost sabotaged by the two sisters and then their ability to understand and feel in dream in his music touched the soul. I was moved to tears in the joy, pain and final realization that Magie's and Judi's character had to let go.

Delicate and unpretentious, this story of an old lady's infatuation with a young violinist is like a refreshing whiff of air amidst the sultry stench of brouhaha "fat-cash" movies that contaminate the silver screen this summer. Its overall impressionistic and bland atmosphere of old rural England with seemingly plain, but emotionally tense story has a mollifying effect on our senses, long warped by clink-clank of special effects and overblown plots.

If one has to compare this film with other forms of art, "Ladies in Lavender" feels like a fine piece of vintage literature, transfered on screen and complemented with exquisite acting and gorgeous music. At the same time, it is so much "slice-of-life" story thanks to meticulous nuances in depicting the characters' lifestyle and subtle performances of the film's main stars.

Contrary to some reviews, I don't have an impression that the story is deficient or lacks in details. I find it rather complete and coherent. Moreover, I think that giving any additional background information on the characters would have only diluted the story. The director's objective is clearly to focus on the internal feelings of the two old sisters and for that enough information is provided in their own comments. After all, it's not the story of the stranger that is so important; but the story of their loneliness and attachment to this young man that is the cornerstone of the plot.

Not as shattering as some more action-driven movies, this film is a good treat for those who want to get away from the din of our modern life and enjoy some excellent music for precious one and a half hours.

Ladies in Lavender fmovies. Yes, that's what the title really means. It's nothing to do with what they wear, in spite of the movie posters. It harks back to the days when people used to lay away linen or other fabrics in lavender to prevent moths and mildew. So what this film was saying was - these ladies have been in storage a while, forgotten - and only when the young Polish guy comes into their lives do they flicker back to life.

The usual superb performances from Judi and Maggie, what makes them so good, in Judi Dench's case particularly, is that you can *see* what they are thinking before they even speak.

Superb fingering on the violin from an actor who, prior to this movie, had never touched one - you'd swear he was really playing.

The movie was particularly poignant for me as I lived for many years in Cornwall and recognised a lot of the scenery. I can, incidentally, assure the critic who claimed a "mistake" by saying Starry-gazey pie is confined to Moushole, that this he/she totally wrong.

It may have been originally a Mousehole speciality, but like Yorkshire pudding, has long since spread to other areas.

Ladies in Lavender is one of those British films which will become a classic for its gentle theme, fantastic setting (inside and out) superb lighting and sound - and a good, strong story line.

Beautifully acted. The delineation of sibling rivalry between the two sisters, Ursula and Joan (Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, is a masterclass in itself. And what a treat to be entertained by Miriam Margoyes. Her Dorcas is the perfect foil for the two prim spinsters.

The script is finely wrought and the understated English humour a joy. There are moments when you just have to laugh out loud. At other times your empathy for the characters moves you to deep sadness and regret at lives that have had times of sorrow or been unfulfilled.

The visual imagery in this film is evokes the nostalgic feel of an English rural landscape of sixty years ago. The beautiful cinematography was complemented by the musical score.

This is the second English film in two weeks I have been really impressed by.

The film, directed by Charles Dance, is the epitome of good, low budget, British cinema. Two major actresses, Judy dench and Maggie Smith underplay their parts very well. Maggie Smith has that special gift of "scene stealing". The locations were superb and true to life as I remember that era well. The casting director gathered a supporting cast who added to the enjoyment of the film. My only complaint was that the editing for the first 30mins of the film lacked sympathy with the plot and, at times, very abrupt. The question of how the boy got into the water is never explained but it didn't matter because the script was more of a story without a beginning and without end. A great film, I loved it!