ChicDragon
It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
Janae Milner
Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.
Jemima
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
TxMike
DVDs are very cheap to make, and for a few years we have been seeing disks with 2 to 4 movies on it, all for the price of a cheap DVD, usually $5. Now my public library has bought some sets with 8 movies on two DVDs, and this movie is one of them. We watched it last night.The sound and video quality are not up to current DVD standards and are more in line with older VHS quality. Still it was OK for this type of movie.It is 1937, England and Europe have not completely recovered from the first WW, and now they are hearing signs that Nazi Germany may be readying for a war to try to take over Europe. Vanessa Redgrave is 50-something (57 during filming) Miss Bentley who had visited Lake Como in Italy every summer with her father for about 16 years. This is the first year she is there alone, after her father died. She sort of hangs out and goes with the flow.An interesting British gentleman shows up, Edward Fox (57 also during filming) as Major Wilshaw. He is a queer sort, brash and tactless, but somehow Miss Bentley finds him attractive. But he seems to have an eye for the younger ladies.That brings in 20-something American Uma Thurman (24 during filming) as Miss Beaumont, recently dropped out of school in Europe and, not wanting to go home, at Lake Como with an Italian family to help with the young children. She is a playful sort, bats her eyes at the Major at dinner, and when he leaves Lake Como per his schedule, she teases him with "We didn't have enough time to get to know each other."That teaser caused him to stay to try to romance her, while she was figuring out ways to get out of his clutches, all the while Miss Bentley hoping to gain his attention.It is a lightweight romantic comedy with interesting characters. Right at 90 minutes it is good entertainment.
Louisville88
This is a wonderful movie. Redgrave is wonderful as Ms. Bennet. She is a very good actress and its nice to see her do some light comedy. My only complaint is Uma Thurman. It seemed as if she didn't know how to play her character. her mood changes, her mannerisms, even her attitude. Her scenes are also awkward. She never gives a convincing performance. Redgrave, once again, is wonderful. Displaying the various moods needed and giving off an award winning performance. Fox is also a so-so actor. He is good, but also awkward and one really doesn't see why Redgrave would want him so badly. This film has been coming on t.v. for quite some time now and I watch it every time. I've even bought the DVD! It is a nice romantic comedy that can be enjoyed. Also, it is funny to watch Fox's not so quick hand, as he does his magic tricks.
George Parker
"A Month by the Lake" has strong parallels with "Up at the Villa" as both films are about the idle rich who spend time at a villa in the North of Italy in the days prior to WWII. "A Month..." is a sublime story about a very starched Brit (Fox) and a somewhat capricious lady (Redgrave). Both mature, in late middle age, the principals stumble along on a collision course with love in this sweet, airy, picture postcard perfect little tale. An enjoyable watch for more mature audiences. A must see for Redgrave fans.
Rosemea D.S. MacPherson
An enjoyable movie. The scenery is beautiful as well as the photography. The outfits are really nice. Set in Italy by the Lake of Como, which looks like a still painting. Vanessa Redgrave, (Howards End) Miss Bentley goes on her holiday. She ends up falling in love with Major Wilshaw, Edward Fox, (Gandhi) after conflicting with a nanny, Miss Beaumont, Uma Thurman (The Truth About Cats & Dogs). Vittorio Balsari, Alessandro Gassman plays an Italian fellow who is really charming. Favorite scenes: Miss Bentley putting her earrings on. Major Wilsaw and Miss Bentley going swimming. Favorite Quote: " It is better to observe than been observed."
