Amazon.co.uk Review
Ladies in Lavender is exactly the sort of film that prompts people to question, "Why don't they make films like this anymore?" It's a delicately-paced story of two aging sisters--Ursula (Dame Judi Dench) and Janet (Maggie Smith--who live together on a Cornwall beach in 1936. They discover a foreign stranger washed ashore (Daniel Bruhl), and while nursing him back to health make an astonishing discovery: the young man, a Pole, is a phenomenally gifted violinist. And Ursula finds her feelings for the man go far deeper than merely maternal.
Writer and director Charles Dance has crafted an admirable debut. Ladies in Lavender a tenderly done and bittersweet story of innocence and regret. Though the dialogue sometimes seems too earnest, and he has an over-reliance on slow motion cinematography, he still allows his two talented leads enough time and space to shine. It's only unfortunate that more effort did not go into the DVD release of the film: the extras only consist of soundbites from the cast and crew, which add little insight. --Ted Kord
Customer Reviews:
Fine acting indeed but..........2007-07-24
The story takes second place to the atmosphere. The attitude of the old ladies is beautifully done as one would expect, and is a fine exploration of the adult 'letting go' usually of children but here more complex. But, whilst all drama may be fantasy this one is particularly fantastical - who is the stranger? Why is he on the beach? How did he get to be a brilliant violinist without anyone in Poland (of all places!) noticing? nothing is explained and nothing makes any sense. Nor does the strange behaviour of the other characters (particularly the doctor). To the original storyteller perhaps it does not matter, though the significance of anti-German suspicion seems to be raised but not explored.
One really needs to be told at the beginning not to bother trying to understand the plot but just to watch the Dames acting - so now you have been!
MUST SEE.......2007-07-19
A truly beautiful film, that is an absolute must see. The real life best friends of Dame Maggie and Dame Judi, are perfect together as their performances are faultless. The story is simple, yet it has the viewer totally enthralled throughout. Very touching, moving, yet immensely sad too.
Sisters of mercy........2007-04-29
If I am ever washed up on a Cornish beach, please let it be these two sisters that find me?
Superb, charming, engrossing, touching, gentle, an extraordinary film.
Two of our finest actresses playing of each other with such class. The whole package is brilliant. Right down to Judi Dench's sensible shoes.
It almost moved me tears, I didn't want it to ever end.
Great film Mr Dance, great cast, a modern classic.
Back to more manly things, did you see the match last night.........
Acting masterclass.......2007-03-31
This is perfect DVD material, especially if you have your granny to stay and the conversation is running dry. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench hold an acting masterclass as the two elderly, spinster sisters who fall hopelessly in love with a good-looking stranger they rescue from the beach.
Daniel Bruhl, who was brilliant in Goodbye Lenin, holds in own in a supporting cast that includes Miriam Margoyles and Natascha McElhone.
It is a sweet, tender film - nothing too difficult or distressing - set in beautiful countryside. Not a great film, perhaps, but pleasant enough.
For hopeless Romantics only .......2007-02-04
I saw this film at the Cinema and it moved me. Perhaps it just come along at a poignant time in my life - or perhaps it was just the vulnerability and believability of their performances. But I defy any romantic not to be affected by this work. I was so much, that I vowed never to see it again. At the right moment it's not a film you watch - it's a film you live. It would be like revisiting an old lover's haunt - nothing but disappointment can come from it. However I was wrong. An Amazon voucher, a wandering mouse and the deed was done. Did I regret trying to recapture that moment. Not a bit of it. Some stories don't need the scale the big screen. In fact a small screen and a crackling winter fireside only adds to the intimacy and romance. If you enjoy quality acting and a touching storyline, well told - pull up a chair for the Ladies in Lavender. Ahhh, bless... sniff.
Customer Reviews:
Hear Joshua Bell.......2006-02-21
Two elderly ladies (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith) of good standing in the community and of some means find that a storm has washed up a well dressed young man (Daniel Brühl.) They take him in to revive and mend him. During the time he is there he stirs up memories for one lady and loosens unknown passion in the other lady.
It is a short story of his recovery and how he and the community discover each other. Many overlapping themes come into play as a war has just finished and another is brewing. The young stranger says he is Polish and speaks fluent German. It is his talent that will eventually determine his fait.
This is one of those stories that requires watching and rewatching to pick up all the nuances. It will also leave a warm feeling after the wrap-up.
------------------------------
The person actually playing the violin behind the actor is Joshua Bell who also played the violin for Violon rouge, Le (1998). He tours once in a while so if you are lucky you may get a chance to hear him in person.
Daniel Brühl never played the Violin and had to learn to mime in less than a month.
David Warner plays the local doctor Dr. Mead. He also played a doctor in “Time After Time” (1979).
The DVD has a Featurette: Ladies in Lavender that explains the adaptation form the story to the film.
Charles Dance Writer/director found the story by William J. Locke about two spinsters living in Cornwall. They were in their forties; he changed that to the 70’s as the age in the story is negligible.
He also purposely left many questions unanswered because in a fairy tale you just have to have faith.
Customer Reviews:
Hear Joshua Bell.......2006-02-21
Two elderly ladies (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith) of good standing in the community and of some means find that a storm has washed up a well dressed young man (Daniel Brühl.) They take him in to revive and mend him. During the time he is there he stirs up memories for one lady and loosens unknown passion in the other lady.
It is a short story of his recovery and how he and the community discover each other. Many overlapping themes come into play as a war has just finished and another is brewing. The young stranger says he is Polish and speaks fluent German. It is his talent that will eventually determine his fait.
This is one of those stories that requires watching and rewatching to pick up all the nuances. It will also leave a warm feeling after the wrap-up.
------------------------------
The person actually playing the violin behind the actor is Joshua Bell who also played the violin for Violon rouge, Le (1998). He tours once in a while so if you are lucky you may get a chance to hear him in person.
Daniel Brühl never played the Violin and had to learn to mime in less than a month.
David Warner plays the local doctor Dr. Mead. He also played a doctor in “Time After Time” (1979).
The DVD has a Featurette: Ladies in Lavender that explains the adaptation form the story to the film.
Charles Dance Writer/director found the story by William J. Locke about two spinsters living in Cornwall. They were in their forties; he changed that to the 70’s as the age in the story is negligible.
He also purposely left many questions unanswered because in a fairy tale you just have to have faith.
Customer Reviews:
Hear Joshua Bell.......2006-02-21
Two elderly ladies (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith) of good standing in the community and of some means find that a storm has washed up a well dressed young man (Daniel Brühl.) They take him in to revive and mend him. During the time he is there he stirs up memories for one lady and loosens unknown passion in the other lady.
It is a short story of his recovery and how he and the community discover each other. Many overlapping themes come into play as a war has just finished and another is brewing. The young stranger says he is Polish and speaks fluent German. It is his talent that will eventually determine his fait.
This is one of those stories that requires watching and rewatching to pick up all the nuances. It will also leave a warm feeling after the wrap-up.
------------------------------
The person actually playing the violin behind the actor is Joshua Bell who also played the violin for Violon rouge, Le (1998). He tours once in a while so if you are lucky you may get a chance to hear him in person.
Daniel Brühl never played the Violin and had to learn to mime in less than a month.
David Warner plays the local doctor Dr. Mead. He also played a doctor in “Time After Time” (1979).
The DVD has a Featurette: Ladies in Lavender that explains the adaptation form the story to the film.
Charles Dance Writer/director found the story by William J. Locke about two spinsters living in Cornwall. They were in their forties; he changed that to the 70’s as the age in the story is negligible.
He also purposely left many questions unanswered because in a fairy tale you just have to have faith.
UK DVD:
- Lark Rise to Candleford: Complete BBC Series 1 [2008]
- La Vie En Rose - Limited Edition Deluxe Gift Set (includes original soundtrack) [2007]
- Lilies : Complete BBC Series 1 [2007]
- Little Women [1995]
- Loving Annabelle
- Lynda La Plante - Trial And Retribution - 5 To 8
- Marie Antoinette [2006]
- Memoirs of a Geisha [2005]
- Middlemarch [1994]
- Million Dollar Baby [2005]
UK DVD List
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