Ladies In Lavender (2004) DVD Reviews

Starring	Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Daniel Brühl, Natasha McElhone
Director	Charles Dance
Genres	Drama

Critics' reviews (6) of Ladies In Lavender
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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.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
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.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Excellent performances from Smith and Dench.
- Empire
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Ladies In Lavender
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51 out of 60 people found this review helpful

A Lovely Feel-good film for the laydees

Saw this with 3 girlfriends - we all enjoyed it. It was just a nice film with humour, brilliant performances as usual by all the cast. Not for men who like fast moving action adventures. One to watch on a wet Saturday night with your mum but well worth it!
- - A customer from INVERNESS
  - Posted 28 Jan 2005 unknown
22 out of 30 people found this review helpful

Lavender is for Ladies

A film that is entertaining on a wet Sunday afternoon. this is one to watch when the old Aunts are round.

Wonderful scenery, brilliant acting and a gentle story all goes to make for a pleasant alternative to violence and sex in so many films.

Put the kettle on, get out the biscuits and enjoy this one.
- - A customer from Stockton on Tees
  - Posted 08 Mar 2005 20:53
19 out of 22 people found this review helpful

Good old fashioned movie

We thought this was an excellent movie and was very well acted by two wonderful actress Judi Dench and Maggie Smith and it captured the year perfectly. They don't make many movies like this nowadays and anyone who likes good old fashioned movies will really like this one.

I wish there were more new movies. It is a simply story but and has its sad and funny moments and well worth watching.
- - Gordon20 from Aberdeen
  - Posted 19 Feb 2005 22:28
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Ladies In Lavender
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

lavender in full bloom

Ladies in lavender was a utterly fab story of love, the kind you can't touch. It was done so beautifully and Judy Dench really made her part come alive, I really felt for her. It was a simple plot yet so believable and real. The scene idealic and beautiful and you had a real sense of community. I thoroughly reccommend this film to anyone especially those who need a sense of tradition and twists.
- - A customer from Lewes, England
  - Posted 03 Sep 2007 18:39
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful

Brilliant

I found this film very moving, a good warm hearted film brilliantly played by Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench. A film about the rebirth of a new life from old, and the awakening of two old souls.
- - shazza6 from OXON
  - Posted 22 Feb 2005 12:18

51 out of 60 people found this review helpful

A Lovely Feel-good film for the laydees

Saw this with 3 girlfriends - we all enjoyed it. It was just a nice film with humour, brilliant performances as usual by all the cast. Not for men who like fast moving action adventures. One to watch on a wet Saturday night with your mum but well worth it!
- - A customer from INVERNESS
  - Posted 28 Jan 2005 unknown
22 out of 30 people found this review helpful

Lavender is for Ladies

A film that is entertaining on a wet Sunday afternoon. this is one to watch when the old Aunts are round.

Wonderful scenery, brilliant acting and a gentle story all goes to make for a pleasant alternative to violence and sex in so many films.

Put the kettle on, get out the biscuits and enjoy this one.
- - A customer from Stockton on Tees
  - Posted 08 Mar 2005 20:53
19 out of 22 people found this review helpful

Good old fashioned movie

We thought this was an excellent movie and was very well acted by two wonderful actress Judi Dench and Maggie Smith and it captured the year perfectly. They don't make many movies like this nowadays and anyone who likes good old fashioned movies will really like this one.

I wish there were more new movies. It is a simply story but and has its sad and funny moments and well worth watching.
- - Gordon20 from Aberdeen
  - Posted 19 Feb 2005 22:28
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful

A thing of beauty

You probably should not even try to understand this film if you are under 40, or maybe even 50. It is an exquisite evocation of a vanished age and an exploration of the complexities of growing older – of being 25 at heart and forced to inhabit a 70 year-old body. It is also a stunning reminder of the sheer depth of talent of a generation of actors who came to maturity 40 years ago on these shores and who are still at the peak of their powers. It is, quite simply, a thing of beauty.
- - Argel from Watford
  - Posted 07 Jan 2006 21:46
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful

Top Sunday Night Viewing

The story is about two elderly ladies who find a young man washed up on a beach, who then nurse him back to health.

Nicely acted, good story, which flows nicely. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are as ever excellent.

If you want a gentle film about relationships, regrets, optimism with a splash of humour this should suite. It is a good British film, shot in a lovely location that works well.
- - Buggins from Bristol
  - Posted 21 Feb 2005 12:06
6 out of 9 people found this review helpful

Perfect

What a perfectly charming film. Two mammoth actresses/dames, who I couldn't keep my eyes off: their acting was superb and the scenario was sublime.

No action, no sex, no violence, but there is nothing wrong with that now and again.
- - EastbourneReviewer from east sussex
  - Posted 16 Feb 2005 14:07
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Hmmmm?

I am unsure of what to say about this movie really. I thought the plot was quite sweet and was interested to watch it, especially because of the cast. The movie was steady and easy to watch although i can see that some people might call it boring. What disapointed me was the ending. I wont go into detail and spoil it for anyone renting this film but it did not satisfy your reason for renting the film and was very poor actually which made the film disapointing. Overall not a bad film but dont expect excitement. Living in Cornwall myself i think i will trot along to the beach after the next storm though and see what tall, dark handsome stranger i will find washed up for me....fingers crossed for a young Mel Gibson look a like !!
- - TAMI from cornwall
  - Posted 29 Jul 2005 17:40
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful

Evocative

Charles Dance makes his directorial debut and he should be congratulated for his choice of cinematographer and of leading ladies.

This film was so evocative of another age and proves that films can be enjoyable without car chases, explosions and profanity.

There was still plenty going on though - the emotion that runs through this story is tuned to perfection by Dance.

This film showed of the superb acting ability of Judi Dench and Maggie Smith as well as the beautiful Cornish coastline.

It reminded me of a similar film - The Whales of August, both made me cry and I am very glad I got the chance to see it.
- - weimeraner from Notts
  - Posted 09 May 2005 17:28
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

A perfect film with two of the world's best actresses

We loved it - charming, funny, a little sad at times. Two sister spinsters are quirkyly isolated in Cornwall and fall in love with the young Polish castaway they rescue from a shipwreck. It's not the plot that did it for me: it's the acting and the humour. Watch this film.
- - Rory Aitken from Totnes
  - Posted 05 Jun 2005 13:49
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Charming Rural Nostalgia

The title 'Ladies in Lavender' suggests blue-rinsed geriatric dowdiness, but don't let it put you off. It seems that following filming, copyright requirements necessitated the use of the same name as the short story by William Lock on which the film is based, for within the film itself none of the four women ever appear noticeably in lavender, nor is there any noticeable appearance of the lavender flower - there is only the one fleeting moment when Dench and Smith are presented with small bluish bouquets that could, conceivably, consist of wild lavender from the Cornish cove where the action is located.

So, inappropriate title sorted, what you get here is a well-made and charming film set on the eve of the second world war. The visuals are beautiful, the music is luscious, and the tale, though of no great consequence, is charming. An interlude of great romance and nostalgia, with good subtle performances from all involved.
- - A classical actor from from deep in the luscious green valleys of stunning Mid-Wales.
  - Posted 25 Jan 2006 12:30

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Critics' reviews (6)
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.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
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.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Excellent performances from Smith and Dench.
- Empire
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
A fine film... tremendous performances.
- Film 2004
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
A real British gem.
- News Of The World
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Sheer class.
- People
- Posted 11 Mar 2005

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- - Buy
- Ladies In Lavender
  
  Set in 1936, Ladies in Lavender is the charming and sweetly melancholic story about two ageing spinster sisters whose peaceable Cornwall existence is disrupted when the take a young man into their care... and their hearts....