Enchanted April
- Review Date: February 5, 2011
- Rated: PG
- Genre: Drama
- Release Year: 1992
- Running Time: 93 minutes
What parents need to know
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this period dramedy explores, albeit somewhat lightheartedly, the heartache four women are nursing caused by aging, marital neglect, and the like. It’s somewhat heavy material for tweens and younger. The journey that the lead characters go on is moving, and there’s plenty of takeaway for viewers old and young. Plus, it’s refreshing to watch a movie that’s not sustained by a heavy soundtrack and gimmicky plots.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
What's the story?
Four women decide to share a castle in the Italian countryside for the month of April in this period dramedy set in the 1920s. Each one nurses a broken heart of sorts: The oldest of them, Mrs. Fisher (Joan Plowright), is sad to have survived so many of her friends and lovers; Rose Arbuthnot (Miranda Richardson) doesn’t feel important to her husband (Jim Broadbent), who’s enamored of a much younger, glamorous woman, Caroline Dester (Polly Walker). She, in turn, is tired of coasting on her beauty and wants to be appreciated for who she is and not what she looks like. Meantime, Lottie Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) wants a substantial relationship with her husband (Alfred Molina), instead of the subservient one she has now.
Is it any good?
Quiet and unassuming, Academy Award-nominated ENCHANTED APRIL nevertheless enthralls without having to rely on cinematic pyrotechnics like other, lesser movies do. No heavy-handed soundtrack to steer emotions, no special effects, not even a hint of melodrama or over-comedy. Instead, it presents, as is, its fundamental suggestion: that a complete change in scenery can reframe one’s thoughts and emotions, sometimes to monumental effect. It’s a simple enough premise, perhaps too simple for some movie-watchers. But there’s no denying its truth. Plot can only go so far, however, and this film is successful for yet another reason -- its cast. The four female leads are spot on -- enchanting, one and all.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the women: What do they all have in common? What made them all want to share the chateau?
How are the men characterized in this film? Are they one-dimensional? Is that fair?
How is this film different from others about marital discord and female friendships? How is it like them?
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | July 31, 1992 |
| DVD release date: | May 5, 2009 |
| Cast: | Alfred Molina, Jim Broadbent, Joan Plowright, Miranda Richardson, Polly Walker |
| Director: | Mike Newell |
| Studio: | Miramax |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Topics: | Book characters |
| Run time: | 93 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild language |
About Our Rating System
Great handpicked alternatives
-
Intelligent period drama tackles mature teen topics.age 15+ -
Smart, thoughtful movie for older teens and up.age 15+
-
Terrific tweens-and-up story of women's baseball.age 10+
For kids who love dramatic stories
Browse more movies
Top advice and articles
What parents and kids say
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
