Ladies In Lavender Details

Charles Dance's directorial debut belies its fusty premise — the almost idyllic daily existence of two elderly sisters (played by the excellent Judi Dench and Maggie Smith) ensconced in Cornwall in the mid-1930s. Instead, this detailed period drama is actually a nimbly told tale of the upheaval and yearning caused when a handsome young man (Good Bye Lenin! star Daniel Brühl) who can't speak English washes up on the sisters' nearby beach. Dance steers the story into unexpectedly subtle emotional regions that rely on character evolution and deft performances from a fine cast (Natascha McElhone, Miriam Margolyes, David Warner). This unpredictable story of surprising emotional power also benefits from a plot twist or two to keep viewers enthralled, while each actor, no matter how small the role, is allowed time to bring their character to life. The setting may appear cuddly and old-fashioned, but this is a lively tale brimming with modern insight, celebrating the fact that the thrill of love can be ageless.

Unobtrusive virtuoso acting from Maggie Smith, as the sensible sister, and Judi Dench, as the more childish and romantic one, give this unassuming, genteel and picturesque period drama a touch of class.