Enchanted April (1992 film)

Enchanted April (1992 film)
Directed by	Mike Newell
Produced by	Mark Shivas Simon Relph Ann Scott Matthew Hamilton
Written by	Peter Barnes
Starring	Miranda Richardson Josie Lawrence Polly Walker Joan Plowright Alfred Molina Michael Kitchen Jim Broadbent
Music by	Richard Rodney Bennett
Cinematography	Rex Maidment
Edited by	Dick Allen
Distributed by	Miramax Films
Release dates	5 April 1992 (1992-04-05)
Running time	95 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Box office	$13,200,170

Enchanted April is a 1992 film adaptation of Elizabeth von Arnim's 1922 novel, The Enchanted April, directed by Mike Newell.

Plot

Elizabeth von Arnim's novel tells of four dissimilar women in 1920s England who leave their rainy, grey environments to go on holiday in Italy. Mrs Arbuthnot and Mrs Wilkins, who belong to the same ladies' club but have never spoken, become acquainted after reading a newspaper advertisement for a small medieval castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April. They find some common ground in that both are struggling to make the best of unhappy marriages. Having decided to seek other ladies to help share expenses, they reluctantly take on the waspish, elderly Mrs Fisher and the stunning but aloof Lady Caroline Dester. The four women come together at the castle and find rejuvenation in the tranquil beauty of their surroundings, rediscovering hope and love.

Cast

• Josie Lawrence as Lottie Wilkins
• Miranda Richardson as Rose Arbuthnot
• Polly Walker as Caroline Dester
• Joan Plowright as Mrs. Fisher
• Alfred Molina as Mellersh Wilkins
• Jim Broadbent as Frederick Arbuthnot
• Michael Kitchen as George Briggs

Production

The film was shot on location at Castello Brown in Portofino, Italy; the same castle where the author of the book stayed in the 1920s. The score by Richard Rodney Bennett, featuring winsome flute and oboe themes, effectively evokes the film's mood and accentuates the story's sentimentality and nostalgia.

Reception

The film gained a positive reaction from critics and currently holds an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews.

Miscellaneous

The film was also mentioned in the documentary Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talking About Him)? by Nilsson's wife, Una, as it was the last film they both watched in bed together the night Nilsson died on January 15th 1994.

Awards

Wins

• Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Miranda Richardson)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Joan Plowright)

Nominations

• Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
• Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (Peter Barnes)
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Joan Plowright)
• Academy Award for Best Costume Design (Sheena Napier)

External links

• Official website
• Enchanted April at IMDb
• Enchanted April at Rotten Tomatoes
• Enchanted April at Box Office Mojo
• The Enchanted April at Project Gutenberg