Customer Reviews

Ladies in Lavender

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This quiet British film starring two of Britain's most acclaimed actresses, Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, is unabashedly a vehicle for these two leading ladies. Janet (Smith) and Ursula (Dench) are two unmarried sisters living on the coast. When one morning after a storm they discover an unconscious young man (Daniel Bruhl) on the rocky shore, their daily rhythms change as each woman develops a crush on the helpless man. Each vies for his complete attention. When Janet is able to finally communicate with Andrea in German (he is Polish), Ursula becomes consumed with jealousy and compensates by pampering him. Both, however, are pushed aside as it turns out that Andrea is a virtuoso violinist (music played by Joshua Bell), and the entire town in drawn to him. Even worse for the sisters, a beautiful visitor, Olga, discovers him as well, drawing him away from Janet and Ursula, into her own world.

Judi Dench is given more to work with than her co-star, and so comes across as the more complicated woman, but Maggie Smith turns in a fine, reserved performance as the more hard-edged sister. Daniel Bruhl is a little awkward in his role; while Natascha McElrone turn in a more memorable performance, though hardly as commanding as Dench and Smith. The cinematography lends affection to the English countryside and coast, and it highlights the isolation of the small town.

This film is slow-moving and carefully articulated, without much happening beyond what is revealed in the actresses' faces. Without Dench and Smith, it would have no appeal, and so should be seen more for the two stars than for the film itself. 3+ stars.

English actor Charles Dance ('Last Action Hero') made his debut as director in 'Ladies in Lavender' based on a short story by William J. Lock. The film features reliable veterans like Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Miriam Margolyes, David Warner, plus Natascha McElhone ('Ronin'), and Daniel Bruhl ('Goodbye Lenin").

The story, set in 1936 in a seaside village in Cornwall, is a simple one. A young handsome man named Andrea (Bruhl) is found on the shore, uncounscious, with his ankle broken. Andrea, who cannot speak English, is nursed by two old ladies of the village, Ursula (Dench) and Janet (Smith), and soon he recovers his health, picking up some English words while in bed. Also, Andrea starts to live with the spinsters (and the housemaid Margolyes who teaches him how to peel the 'potatoes'), and brightens the life of the ladies, especially that of Ursula, to whom Janet refers as very 'naive.'

Later, Andrea turns out a gifted violinist, and Olga, young traveller from the city, also finds his talent (Olga speaks fluent German). And a bit incredibly, I think, but Olga happens to be a sister of one famous violist, who happens to be in London just for one day. And Olga says this is a great chance that he cannot lose.

The weak and implausible story is helped by the presence of the two great actors Dench and Smith. It is their acting, or subtle expressions of voice and face that really tell the story, and Charles Dance should be very thankful for their excellent jobs (I thought, actually, his direction is just so-so, with too many unnecessary slow motions and even an embarrasing 'dream sequence' of Ursula that had almost killed the film).

The film's strength lies in the veterans' acting, particularly that of Dench, whose character Ursula is the most memorable one. It is clear that she is in love, and equally clear that she knows she is not allowed to express her feelings even before Janet, who somehow senses the truths behind the embarrassed expressions of Ursula. At the same time, however, this could be the weakest (or most incredible) part of the film -- of course, old ladies fall in love, and why not? -- but Judi Dench and Daniel Bruhl? And in the original, Ursula is in her 40s while Judi Dench was born in 1934.

Another problem is (so I found), Daniel Bruhl, or his character Andrea, who lacks the mystery, or the dark side, which he should have, if he really comes from where he claims (remember, it's 1936, only three years before WW2). Andrea's character needs more complexity. After all, who is he? Why wants to go to America? He doesn't talk about them -- that's fine -- but no one asks (except David Warner's doctor), which is too strange.

'Ladies in Lavender' is a good film about the two ladies in title, and the acting from the principal players is excellent. Watch for Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, and you will be greatly moved by them, or their characters.

Ladies In Lavender is a delightful romantic comedy featuring two of England's finest actresses as the leading ladies. This film is going to have a strong following of female audiences over forty, and it's a must see for all Maggie Smith and Judi Dench fans! Also, the captivating landscape of the seashore and the violin score is very pleasing.

Janet(Smith) and Ursula(Dench) are sisters living in a village by the sea, and their peaceful and mundane lives are changed when they rescued a handsome stranger(Andrea/Daniel Bruhl) washed up onto the shore after a severe storm. Ursula instantly had a crush on the foreigner who spoke no English and soon learnd that he was Polish. Janet could speak some German, and communicated to him, while Ursula had to used sign language and eventually taught him some English.

When Andrea gradually recovered from his leg injury, he had the opportunity to play the violin when the sisters invited an amateur violinist friend to visit. Everyone were dazzled to see that Andrea was a great violinist, and his music instantly captured the attention of a travelling Russian artist named Olga(Natascha McElhone) whose brother happens to be a renowned violinist. She became interested in persuading him to leave the village and join his brother so he could launch his music career. The sisters were unprepared for his unannounced departure....

Natascha McElhone is wonderful and looked beautiful as an artist, and she delivered her lines in Polish and English, but she had limited screentime. Mariam Margolyes(Being Julia) was a comic relief as the sisters' housemaid. Daniel Bruhl looks so much like Jake Gyllenhaal. He had some great moments acting with Smith and Dench, and he was gorgeous and mesmerizing in the concert scene. Maggie Smith is great as usual, and she held her own opposite Dench, but the script had Dench doing more of the emotional scenes that was a heartfelt experience. The moment when Maggie Smith held Judi Dench together when she had her breakdown was an emotionally impacting scene.

I loved this movie! It was so sweet, and so poignant. It reminds me of the saying, "Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." This movie about about 2 old sisters in 1936 Cornwall, England who rescues a young man washed ashore on the beach. They take him into their home and nurse him back to health. One of the sisters falls secretly in love with him. This is an enchanting movie, well directed, well acted, and the music soundtrack is exquisitely orchestrated, especially the violinist, Joshua Bell. I saw the movie twice.

I've just read the other reviews on this page and am a little annoyed at the lacklustre comments on this little gem of a film that has sat in my DVD collection for the last 18 months until today when I finally got to watch it. It is a completely amazing film. One of the reasons I suppose it took me so long to get around to actually watching it is the in my view really bad cover artwork and a really bad title. However the film itself is so beautifully crafted trust me.

The physical setting is superb, really timeless & beautiful. Judi Dench is TOTALLY tremendous without a shadow of a doubt. Daniel Bruhl is completely perfect! The whole film is amazing.

There's a fair bit of interest for the classical music enthusiast too. The violin music (played by Joshua Bell!) is WONDERFUL.

My one and ONLY criticism in the whole film is that Maggie Smith's character wasn't drawn out a bit more. She is the fine dame of British acting and a real favourite so it was a pity. However I'm reluctant to mention this really as this film really scores 100% for me.

Imagine you are walking through a great art museum, overwhelmed by one massive canvas after another. In your rapture you almost walk right past a tiny painting in the corner, an unassuming, faultless Vermeer. That is this movie. Watch it on its own terms, in its own time, and you will certainly love it.

Ladies In Lavender is a star vehicle for two British Grande Dames, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith - that's hard to beat for star power. (Indeed, the only thing missing in this movie is Helen Mirren.) Almost everything except the plot fuels the story, the plot is so small it would be easily lost in the garden these sisters keep. Place is massively important, and brilliantly recreated. Pace is massively important; these people lead simple, slow lives. Most of all, emotional nuance drives the bus here, Maggie Smith can say more with a furrowed brow than any ten Hollywood actors with a well-polished script.

The film invites adult viewers to take an adult look at the many different forms love takes, and their consequences. From the bitter and cynical aging doctor, to the painfully vulnerable and naive Ursula, Dench, to the cool yet kind Janet, Smith, this film weaves leitmotifs with such a deft hand you barely notice. The young man, Andrea, is played adequately by Daniel Bruhl, while Olga, young, manipulative, and ambitious, is the girl everyone loves to hate because she seems to have it all. Olga is played by Natascha McElhone. Ms. McElhone is fortunate to have been blessed with model-esque good looks; if you look carefully you can see her being out-acted by a footstool, a washstand, and a pair of knitting needles.

Those who enjoy metaphor and symbolism will not have to meditate overly long before realizing that the love these aging sisters bestow on their innocent foundling is a give and take proposition. Ultimately they commit the greatest act of selflessness any person can, they must free their "child" and let him live. (Irony here since they are what used to be charmingly referred to as "barren.") In so doing, they allow a great talent to bloom - sharing it with the world. This brings us to the film's other star, Joshua Bell. Bell provides the actual violin virtuosity behind the scenes, and his technique and range are chilling - from barn dance sawing rowdy enough to set the Strad on fire, to subtle trills that could make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Yes!

For Me, this movie is up there with, The Last of the Blonde Bombshells. A Very Nice Movie that in a way keeps you wondering what's next. I hated for the end of the film to come as I could see more of it continue. It is a film that seems straight forward but leaves a part undisclosed to think about, as it goes along. Judi was awesome, as usual but in a role alittle different than a lot of her films, which is Great! Set in the 1930's a Very Beatuiful Coastal Country Side. Her part is somewhat sad in parts but wishing it was better for her, in the film. It is Funny, Emotional, pretty much All feelings we go thru in life. A GREAT FILM, YOU SHOULD ALSO LOVE IT AS I DO. JUDI, a Wonderful, Funny, Loving, and Just Plain GREAT ACTOR!!!!! (DVD) AWESOME MOVIE!!!!!
NancyCarol Schoeck (...)

"Ladies in Lavender" (2004) is a film starring two of the best British actresses, Dame Judy Dench and Dame Maggie Smith as two lonely sisters, a widow and an old maid who live quietly and uneventfully in their cottage on the seaside in Cornwall, England. The film takes place in 1936 before the WWII begins. One morning, the sisters discover a young man, almost a boy injured and washed ashore near their home and their lives were changed forever. The sisters take the boy in and care for him. As time passes, they learn that Andrea was on the ship heading to America where he hoped to become a professional musician. Andrea is extremely talented violinist and one day, his playing attracts the attention of a young Russian woman -painter, Olga who lives in the village. Olga's brother is a world renowned violinist and she is ready to offer the boy the chance of his life but the sisters, especially Ursula (Dench) seems very reluctant to let Andrea and Olga communicate. Ursula who never been married feels deep tenderness, warmth, and longing for Andrea that she has difficulty to hide. Her sister who is very close and compassionate to her sees quite well what goes on but she also understands that some dreams would always stay just the beautiful dreams...

The main reason to see the movie is acting and chemistry between two beloved actresses, both in their 70s and both on the top of their profession. As for the story of two lonely elderly sisters in their coastal home, it was told better in Lindsay Anderson's "Whales in August" (1987) that starred Bette Davis and Lillian Gish, and Anderson's film does not have a young foreign boy to make it compelling and moving. The verbal and silent communication between two sisters as played by Gish and Davis makes the earlier movie a quiet and poignant gem. As for the unrequited tender vulnerable love that comes when one least expects it and that makes the life of an older person heaven and hell at the same time, watch "Death in Venice", the tragic masterpiece by Luchino Visconti.

"Ladies in Lavender" tells the tale of two elderly sisters, Ursula (Judi Dench) and Janet (Maggie Smith), who share an ancient cottage in Cornwall, England on the eve of WWII. One morning after a violent storm, they find a young man washed up on the beach, more dead than alive. They take him in and tend to him, quickly discovering that he speaks no English, but he speaks German and says he is Polish. The fact that he speaks German arouses local suspisions, as the villagers wonder if he could be a German spy.

Time passes quickly, and Andrea (Spanish-German Daniel Bruhl, better known for 2003's Good Bye, Lenin!) quickly proves his talent with the violin. Matters are complicated when both of the sisters fall for Andrea. The tender, naive Ursula seems to have never had a beau, and despite the great age difference between her and Andrea, clearly is pondering a sexual relationship with him. Janet tries to rein her in, to no effect.

A mysterious, beautiful stranger named Olga is also a newcomer to the village. Although she, too, speaks German (and French), she is Russian, sister of the famous violin virtuoso Boris Danilof. This important information is withheld from Andrea, as the sisters strive to keep him for themselves, but Andrea is miserable at having his career as a concert violinist kept at arm's length. He begins to spend more and more time with Olga, to the distaste of Ursula and Janet, and in a fateful conversation, he is told of Olga's identity and of her famous brother, who wants to meet Andrea. His conscience torments him at having to make the choice between leaving the kind-hearted sisters and seizing his rightful place in the concert halls of the world.

Ursula's childish love affair with Andrea is heartbreaking. She asks Janet about her dead beau several times, asking "if you really loved him." Janet catches Ursula in Andrea's room at night, touching him while he is asleep. And in a brief dream sequence, we see Ursula as a young woman, rolling about in the fields with Andrea. She is so fragile, so naive, and heartbroken when Andrea ultimately makes his choice, that Judi Dench's performance can be hard to watch in these scenes.

Beautiful cinematography of Cornwall, a gorgeous soundtrack with virtuoso Joshua Bell, two legends of British theater, and a strong supporting cast makes "Ladies in Lavender" another example of why British cinema is some of the best out there. Fans of "The Red Violin" and musical/historical dramas will do well to check out "Ladies in Lavender."

If you enjoy quirky, but touching little films like Local Hero, My House in Umbria, Arthur's Dyke, and Chocolat, you'll enjoy Ladies in Lavender. The plot alone sets up the bittersweet nature of the film - English spinster sisters find a young foreign man unconscious on their beach and nurse him back to health, sparking unexpected feelings of love, insecurity, and foolishness. But the film's humorous moments, of which there are many, are sprinkled lightly throughout to add a smile and keep the overall tone light, despite some otherwise sad occurrences.

The entire cast is wonderful, including a tremendous bunch of eccentric villagers that "introduce" the young man to England, but best of all are the sisters played by Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Both are at their quietly graceful best, imbuing every scene with the subtle sense of reality that we've come to expect from them.

Also worth noting is the Special Features section of the DVD. I don't usually watch those much, but I was glad I did this time. Without getting into the long-winded "making of the film" stuff that often spoils the illusion for me, it offers a short interview with the director and the two lead actresses. It was well worth the few minutes it takes to watch.

Enjoy.