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183 of 187 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
You'll Want To Spend A Month In Italy After Watching This!, August 5, 2001
If you long for a peaceful villa on the banks of a serene lake, dream of fresh roses on your breakfast tray, yearn for the serenity of the Italian sun, then watch this enchanting movie. The setting is the last summer before World War II when a spirited middle-aged spinster named Miss Bentley (Vanessa Redgrave) arrives for her annual vacation. She is immediately attracted to Major Wilshire (Edward Fox), a fellow Britisher amongst the Italians and Americans on holiday. She believes you can judge a man by his ears, and Miss Bentley has set her sights on capturing the Major's ears. Alas, into this mix comes a spoiled American (Uma Thurman) who immediately catches the Major's ears, eyes, and other parts of him. Miss Bentley is sad when she realizes he is smitten with the beautiful young Miss Beaumont, but she does not give up. Humiliation and rejection come her way, along with a young Italian who finds the older woman quite charming. Amidst a scenic backdrop and with the strains of Verdi's "Aida" and other soul-stirring Italian music, everyone winds up with the correct partner and all, we presume, will live happily ever after. A light, clever, and often funny film to relish as you dream of sunny days basking in romance and beauty.
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42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most relaxing video on a rainy day!, December 8, 2000
By A Customer
So you've just gotten home from a rough day at the office, or your depressed about something and wish you could take a spur of the moment trip to oh so relaxing and romantic Italy (preferably Lake Como!). For most of us, this can't just happen, so I advise you to watch "A month by the lake". It's a simple, relaxing story, and seems to take you away into its' world. I highly recommend this movie, no violence, clench-your-fingernails-suspense, or promiscuous obsenities. And it comes with likable characters, great music, and a wonderful setting, make that magnificent.
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49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
VANESSA REDGRAVE TRUMPS UMA THURMAN..., December 8, 2002
This is a charming film about an older, free spirited English woman, an expatriate who in 1937 Italy is interested in an older, stuffy Englishman who is on vacation at the same lakeside resort. A young American nanny, who is at the resort with the family for whom she works, catches the same Englishman's eye. Their love triangle provides many interesting moments for the viewer. Vanessa Redgrave, who only gets better with age, is charming as the older woman, Miss Bentley, who finds herself competing for the attentions of Major Wilshaw, curmudgeonly played by Edward Fox. Miss Beaumont, played with a certain repellent insousciance by Uma Thurman, capriciously tosses in her hat into the romance stakes. Miss Bentley finds herself playing second fiddle to Miss Beaumont. A young, attractive Italian, however, sees the charms that Major Wilshaw initially fails to appreciate, and Miss Bentley uses his interest in her to great advantage. When Major Wilshaw finally gets his wakeup call, all is well that ends well. Miss Bentley's wardrobe and style is simplicity itself. Clearly, she is not a woman to follow fashion trends. Yet, she is clearly a woman who will follow where her heart will lead. The young and nubile Miss Beaumont is much more of a fashion maven, yet she lacks the depths of beauty that Miss Bentley naturally has, a beauty that grows from within rather than from without. This is a lovely movie that will make the viewer dream of a time long past.
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