Based on the 1922 novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, Enchanted April is a wonderful gem of a movie. Released in 1992, it is the story of two married women quietly living unhappy lives. One day, Lottie (Josie Lawrence and Rose (Miranda Richardson), impulsively decide to escape their depressing lives in post World War I London and their disinterested husbands and rent a villa (more like a castle, really) on the Italian coast. When they wake up in Italy after a rainy nighttime arrival, the sun is out and the weather is beautiful. The ladies are amazed by their new environment; foliage is all around. Both women feel instantly recharged.
The villa seems to recharge everyone who visits including the women’s roommates; the privileged socialite Lady Caroline Dester (Polly Walker) escaping the “grabbing hands” of the men in her society circles and the officious matron Mrs. Fisher (Joan Plowright), who makes it her business to keep strict schedules and maintain the social equilibrium and propriety but soon gives in to the freedom and the energy of this world. As Lottie remarks, “It’s this place” and in this film, that phrase means the villa in Italy is a place that refreshes, heals and clears the mind.
The film uses inner monologues to tell us about the transformations that are happening for each character. Though this format can be interesting at times, it feels largely unnecessary because the changes are already readily apparent to the viewer. Director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral), does an excellent job revealing the effect of the Italian vacation on Lottie and Rose. He allows us to clearly see these usually dour, buttoned up British housewives let their hair down and enjoy life. For Lottie, Josie Lawrence wanders the woods, her hands outstretched to feel the grass and leaves, her smile a gentle but radiant expression of pure happiness. Her unleashed joy brings out the beauty that has been locked up in her unhappiness.
As Rose, Miranda Richardson literally becomes part of the nature that surrounds her; she lies in the grass and stretches out on the rocks. When she floats in the shallow waters, her hands stroke and grab the sea grass with a sensual intensity that suggests she’s trying to become a part of it. It is as if these women are having some sort of spiritual rebirth with nature. The personal growth of Lottie and Rose seems so profound, that it’s a bit of a disappointment when their husbands arrive in Italy and their relationships are resumed with a newfound respect and romanticism.
A top notch British period piece romantic comedy, Enchanted April is a real “feel good” film that doesn’t manipulate or underestimate its audience. Those looking for simple movie enchantment couldn’t ask for a better film.
Enchanted April is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen and enhanced for 16×9 television monitors. It’s a highly visual film and the colors are vivid and fully saturated, there’s a good amount of detail for a DVD, and you’ll see very little grain.
The audio is a decent Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround in English that delivers some nice ambient sound through the surround-sound speakers and offers a clarity that is needed for a dialogue driven film like this.
The only special feature is an audio commentary by director Newell and producer Ann Scott, who talk about filming, locations, casting and the standard stuff that one expects in a commentary; they do a fine job but it’s nothing special.
