Les dames de Cornouailles

The story is rather simple. Two old ladies living in rural English countryside rescue a drowning foreign young violinist and one of them develops an infatuation over him. But he actually gets attracted to a local German painter. But the execution of the plot is so subtle and so melancholy it is bound to make you keep thinking about it.

Both Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are at their bests, Dench probably showing a broader range of emotions. Daniel Brüll is also quite worth mentioning as the young dreamy-eyed violinist. Natasha McElhone gives a solid supporting act. And it's a real treat to the ears by Joshua Bell, who masterfully played all the violin compositions.

I had read mixed reviews on this and am delighted to report that I was captivated completely by the plot, the cinematography and the two delightful actors (and Dames), Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Not to mention the music played by Joshua Bell, the young supporting actors, Daniel Bruhl and Natascha McElhone and the curmudgeonly Miriam Margolyes as Dorcas the daily.

Highly evocative of the era, around 1938-1939 when Germany is rising and the memories of WW1 are still strong. Janet, one of the sisters, played by Maggie, is a widow from that war and lives with her sister Ursula, a spinster, played by Judi.

The story is delicate and mindful of others - Whales of August, Tea with Mussolini, but it has its own strength - the unrequited love that Ursula feels for the young man that the sisters rescue from the shore.

Charles Dance does a superb job both with the writing and the directing of such a flimsy tale. One is taken right in to the era, the harvest, the clothes, the village dance, the fisherman with their catches of the day on the shore. Gorgeous landscapes and gardens. A slice of life beautifully done. 8 out of 10.

Delicate and unpretentious, this story of an old lady's infatuation with a young violinist is like a refreshing whiff of air amidst the sultry stench of brouhaha "fat-cash" movies that contaminate the silver screen this summer. Its overall impressionistic and bland atmosphere of old rural England with seemingly plain, but emotionally tense story has a mollifying effect on our senses, long warped by clink-clank of special effects and overblown plots.

If one has to compare this film with other forms of art, "Ladies in Lavender" feels like a fine piece of vintage literature, transfered on screen and complemented with exquisite acting and gorgeous music. At the same time, it is so much "slice-of-life" story thanks to meticulous nuances in depicting the characters' lifestyle and subtle performances of the film's main stars.

Contrary to some reviews, I don't have an impression that the story is deficient or lacks in details. I find it rather complete and coherent. Moreover, I think that giving any additional background information on the characters would have only diluted the story. The director's objective is clearly to focus on the internal feelings of the two old sisters and for that enough information is provided in their own comments. After all, it's not the story of the stranger that is so important; but the story of their loneliness and attachment to this young man that is the cornerstone of the plot.

Not as shattering as some more action-driven movies, this film is a good treat for those who want to get away from the din of our modern life and enjoy some excellent music for precious one and a half hours.

Yes, that's what the title really means. It's nothing to do with what they wear, in spite of the movie posters. It harks back to the days when people used to lay away linen or other fabrics in lavender to prevent moths and mildew. So what this film was saying was - these ladies have been in storage a while, forgotten - and only when the young Polish guy comes into their lives do they flicker back to life.

The usual superb performances from Judi and Maggie, what makes them so good, in Judi Dench's case particularly, is that you can *see* what they are thinking before they even speak.

Superb fingering on the violin from an actor who, prior to this movie, had never touched one - you'd swear he was really playing.

The movie was particularly poignant for me as I lived for many years in Cornwall and recognised a lot of the scenery. I can, incidentally, assure the critic who claimed a "mistake" by saying Starry-gazey pie is confined to Moushole, that this he/she totally wrong.

It may have been originally a Mousehole speciality, but like Yorkshire pudding, has long since spread to other areas.

Ladies in Lavender is one of those British films which will become a classic for its gentle theme, fantastic setting (inside and out) superb lighting and sound - and a good, strong story line.

This film bursts into life in a few electrifying scenes - but these scenes are perhaps muted by the general leisurely air of the whole.

What can be said is that this film belongs to Maggie Smith: although Judi Dench has the lovelorn role of the smitten sister, it is Dame Maggie who has the wider variety of emotions, the presence, and the charisma which gives the film the energy it needs to involve the viewer. A case in point is the scene where Dame Judi has her point of emotional release - and Dame Maggie tops it with just the slightest nuance of phrase. Indeed, hers is a performance of subtlety and delicacy, so understated and insightful, that it recalls the outstanding work that she did in "The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne". If it was up to me, Dame Maggie would be right up there in contention for the Oscar and BAFTA.

She is, of course, perfectly paired with Dame Judi, who creates a portrayal of both pathos and charm. There is such rapport between the two that it wipes away memories of the caricatures of "Tea With Mussolini" and replaces it with genuine truth and humanity. The two dames are underscored by the comic bluster of Miriam Margolyes and the suspicious lusting of David Warner.

This is a film of emotion and elegance. If it lacks narrative drive and dynamic then it is more than made up for by the space created for the talents of the actors. It is a film which lives on in the memory - and for that we mainly have to thank the performance of Maggie Smith.