User reviews

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.

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.

Beautifully acted. The delineation of sibling rivalry between the two sisters, Ursula and Joan (Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, is a masterclass in itself. And what a treat to be entertained by Miriam Margoyes. Her Dorcas is the perfect foil for the two prim spinsters.

The script is finely wrought and the understated English humour a joy. There are moments when you just have to laugh out loud. At other times your empathy for the characters moves you to deep sadness and regret at lives that have had times of sorrow or been unfulfilled.

The visual imagery in this film is evokes the nostalgic feel of an English rural landscape of sixty years ago. The beautiful cinematography was complemented by the musical score.

This is the second English film in two weeks I have been really impressed by.

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.

"Ladies in Lavender" (2004) is a film starring two of the best British actresses, Dame Judy Dench and Dame Maggie Smith as two lonely sisters, a widow and an old maid who live quietly and uneventfully in their cottage on the seaside in Cornwall, England. The film takes place in 1936 before the WWII begins. One morning, the sisters discover a young man, almost a boy injured and washed ashore near their home and their lives were changed forever. The sisters take the boy in and care for him. As time passes, they learn that Andrea was on the ship heading to America where he hoped to become a professional musician. Andrea is extremely talented violinist and one day, his playing attracts the attention of a young Russian woman -painter, Olga who lives in the village. Olga's brother is a world renowned violinist and she is ready to offer the boy the chance of his life but the sisters, especially Ursula (Dench) seems very reluctant to let Andrea and Olga communicate. Ursula who never been married feels deep tenderness, warmth, and longing for Andrea that she has difficulty to hide. Her sister who is very close and compassionate to her sees quite well what goes on but she also understands that some dreams would always stay just the beautiful dreams...

The main reason to see the movie is acting and chemistry between two beloved actresses, both in their 70s and both on the top of their profession. As for the story of two lonely elderly sisters in their coastal home, it was told better in Lindsay Anderson's "Whales in August" (1987) that starred Bette Davis and Lillian Gish, and Anderson's film does not have a young foreign boy to make it compelling and moving. The verbal and silent communication between two sisters as played by Gish and Davis makes the earlier movie a quiet and poignant gem. As for the unrequited tender vulnerable love that comes when one least expects it and that makes the life of an older person heaven and hell at the same time, watch "Death in Venice", the tragic masterpiece by Luchino Visconti.

Short stories often make better films than full novels as is evident in the case of JD Locke's 'Ladies in Lavender' as adapted for the screen and directed by the multi-talented Charles Dance. Given the barest outline of a quiet little idea of a 'fairy tale', LADIES IN LAVENDER becomes an unfolding meditation of quiet lives altered by an incident that awakens sleeping needs and emotions.

Ursula (Judi Dench) and Janet (Maggie Smith) are elderly sisters living a quiet life of gardening, strolling the cliffs and beach of Cornwall, knitting, and reading. Their bumpy housekeeper Dorcas (Miriam Margolyes) cooks, cleans, shops, and chatters in a wonderful Cornish brogue, allowing the sisters to live an otherwise isolated life - isolated from history, personal emotions, and vulnerabilities. After a storm Ursula spies a figure on the beach below their home and the two descend to find an unconscious handsome young man whom they rescue, house, nurture, mend a broken ankle and ultimately become doting adorers. The young man Andrea (Daniel Brühl) finally awakens, speaks no English as he is Polish, and his charming ways attract inner emotions in both sisters. Janet studies some German and is able to speak with Andreas, while Ursula pastes English words on items in his room to teach him English. He mends and it is discovered that he is a concert violinist who was shipwrecked while striving to go to America. A Russian visitor to the town, Olga (Natascha McElhone), the requisite 'evil witch' for a fairy tale, hears Andreas play, informs him she has a cousin who is a famous violinist, and attracts him away from Cornwall to London where he ultimately gives his own concert.

Those are the bare facts of the film's story. The magic lies not in the story itself but in the submerged feelings of the two sisters. Ursula, having never been in love in her youth, falls in love with Andrea, fully aware that there is no possibility of consummation. She feels long desired emotional attachment to the lad and the stirring in her breast is overwhelming to her. Janet, who once loved but lost that love to death, likewise falls for Andrea. It is this sibling rivalry over the passion for Andrea that provides some of the most touching and understated brilliant acting moments ever recorded on film. There is a scene where, resting from a stroll on the cliffs, Andrea rests with his head on Ursula's lap, perhaps the first physical contact with a man she has ever known, and the gentility of the slow and reticent placement of her hand on Andrea's resting head is a crystal of acting magic. How the sisters cope with this time with Andrea and his eventual leaving for his career is the climax of the film. And touching and understated it is.

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith give pitch perfect characterizations, creating two lovely beings we will never forget. Likewise Daniel Brühl is superb in a role far different from his usual German repertoire (Goodbye Lenin!, The Edukators, Love in Thoughts) and manages to create the illusion that he is actually playing the violin (while the true artist is Joshua Bell in some stunning performances). The atmosphere of Cornwall is magically captured by Dance and his cinematographer Peter Biziou with assistance from Ed Rutherford. Nigel Hess has written a musical score, incorporating well-known classical violin works as well as his own hauntingly beautiful music that adds immeasurably to the film's success.

LADIES IN LAVENDER is not a major blockbuster of a success nor does it try to be. It is simply a exquisitely crafted and acted fairy tale that gently reminds us that age does not prevent the heart from responding to that most beautiful of emotions, Love. Highly recommended. Grady Harp

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.

Two elderly sisters take in a young Polish man who washes up on their beach.

You can search this film in an attempt to identify an obscure filming style, go on and on about the two ladies who star in this work, or preen and posture over the quality performance of Daniel Brühl...or you can merely enjoy this work for what it is: A beautiful drama; one fraught with intrigues.

This is very well written, and highly enjoyable, though it is not anything I would watch again out of choice, the first viewing was quite good. A second viewing, however, is not warranted.

It rates a 6.9/10 from...

the Fiend :.

The film, directed by Charles Dance, is the epitome of good, low budget, British cinema. Two major actresses, Judy dench and Maggie Smith underplay their parts very well. Maggie Smith has that special gift of "scene stealing". The locations were superb and true to life as I remember that era well. The casting director gathered a supporting cast who added to the enjoyment of the film. My only complaint was that the editing for the first 30mins of the film lacked sympathy with the plot and, at times, very abrupt. The question of how the boy got into the water is never explained but it didn't matter because the script was more of a story without a beginning and without end. A great film, I loved it!

Having seen a preview screening of this film last night, I have to say that it's not one that I would probably have picked to see normally. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a reasonably enjoyable romp. The acting by the two Dames (Maggie Smith and Judi Dench) was superb as always and whilst I might not buy the film once it comes out on DVD I'm sorely tempted to pick up the soundtrack.

Whilst it is not intended to be a comedy, there were a number of comedic moments in the film which did help to lighten the mood a little. I think the only thing that let it down in my eyes was that parts of it felt a little slow, especially at the beginning.

To summarise, if you enjoyed Iris you'll like this. If you're over 50 you'll like this. If you're anyone else you'll tolerate it but not necessarily enjoy it. I give it 7/10

When one sees that both Maggie Smith and Judi Dench are in a movie, you almost automatically expect a very good film with brilliant acting. Well, we got the latter in "Ladies in Lavender", but it was just an average show with some excellent scenery and good music. There is no doubt that the two stars are superb actors who play their parts extremely well, but are not greatly pushed dramatically as they have been in many other films. Actually, to my mind, the actress playing the maid/housekeeper, Dorcas stole the scenes in which she appeared, and a special comment for Daniel Bruhl who played his part as the young man stirring many forgotten passions in two older ladies. It is worth seeing, but certainly not a memorable experience.

Who but Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith could play elderly sisters who don't particularly agree too much with each other's conventions utlizing such subtle acting talents? The script is terrific with lines thatare worthy of both great British stage and screen actors. Supporting characters present fine performances as well.

It's terrific to have such a quality drama that is true to the real lives of senior women who live in another culture outside of my own in the US. Forget all of the nonsensical bleeping of scripts loaded with cursing (even though I am no prude!). Such scripts lack the integrity of presentation of a superior English lexicon. Forget the loud, fast paced action that appeals to more violence-craving audiences than me. Forget wacky comics who'd use all sorts of gimmicks and graphics to create anything but a character close to any culture's true life.

Have a good look at the very strengths that abound in the whole of this film. The story plot line is a excellent one, I assure you. It goes like this: The ladies in lavender find a body of a young man barely still alive on the rocky, rough surf, beach in front of their old home. They take him in and nurse him to health. He turns out to be an extraordinarily gifted individual. When it is discovered that he is, the ladies have to face a harsh reality in order for him to realize his potential.

It is comparable to "Tea with Mussolini" in both quality of script, story, and especially cast. How it slipped under popularity radar when "Tea . . ." didn't, is a mystery. This is a film that needs to be viewed by any age group of people. There's nothing about it a child couldn't understand and plenty about it that senior people would relate to, as well. "Whales of August" with Bette Davis and Lillian Gish is a superior treasure.

Two sisters of independent means living a life of tranquility. A lovely country garden cottage, an idyllic Cornish village with inoffensive locals. A portly housekeeper prepared to empty the jerry as well as going to the fish market and conducting other activities unsuited to the sensitivities of her prim employers.

If you are a sucker for the maudlin, as I am, you will love this. The story is irrelevant. The acting superb. Dench and Smith together are a joy.

Dance clearly fancies himself as an art house type and attempts to consolidate himself as such. Unfortunately I couldn't help thinking he cashes in on the "Billy Elliot"/"Brassed Off" type of musical climax a little too crudely for jerking the tears at the end.

Two elderly sisters (Maggie Smith and Judi Dench) live along the Cornish coast in England. One evening a violent storm erupts and the next morning a young man has washed ashore on the beach. The sisters manage to get him to their cottage and when he awakens it slowly becomes apparent that the guy is Polish. Now here's where it gets a little odd. Instead of just nursing him back to health and sending him on his way, the women hold on to Andrea (Daniel Brühl). Essentially, instead of adopting a new dog or cat, the pair adopt a young man! What is to become of this? And, who exactly is he and how did he get to Cornwall?

So is this film any good? Yes...which isn't surprising considering it stars Dench and Smith--two amazing actresses. Likewise, the music (which makes up a great deal of the film) is lovely. In fact, I have no real complaints and the film is original. Worth seeing.

A true labour of love for writer/director Charles Dance, LADIES IN LAVENDER is a low key historical romance that explores an unusual love triangle that takes in pre-WW2 Cornwall. It's one of those films that's all about feelings and subtlety, so although there's virtually nothing in the way of on-screen action, it gets across a mood and feeling to be sufficiently watchable.

A couple of lonely spinsters have their lives put into disarray when a young German is washed up on their beach, badly injured. He recuperates at their home, where one of them soon falls in love with him and convinces the other that he's Polish rather than German. Meanwhile, the arrival of a Russian girl in the village spells further trouble...

The first half of this film brings to light a kind of wistful, nostalgic atmosphere for forgotten times when things were simpler. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith play to type, but both are good when they get to the heart and humanise their characters in later scenes. Dance's hands-off direction allows the story to play itself out at a leisurely pace, and I admit that I was gently enthralled. Daniel Bruhl (INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS) is a nice choice to play the German character. Later, attempts at intrigue with the Natasha McElhone character - as pretty as she is - don't really go anywhere and the plot falters a little. Still, the music scenes are delightful and at least the story never betrays itself, even if the ending is rather slight.

For some reason, I dvr'd this movie the other day, because I love the Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. I didn't watch it until last night. I started at 1am and watched the whole thing, even though I was exhausted. I am an old romantic.

At the beginning, my friend and I just couldn't figure out what was wrong with Ursula and we figured out she was falling in love with the boy. Wow! It was so obvious after a while, and I reminisced about the time I fell in love with someone so much younger than me. It was a treat to see Maggie Smith, trying to protect and comfort her sister in her obvious agony of the just impossible love she was feeling for the boy. How sad.

The end was a poignant and subtle end to a fabulous SHORT story. I actually thought they were in the islands off the southern coast.. I believe they are Jersey.. (like "The Others", and didn't realize it was pre-WWII, hence the hint at all of the Britons suspicions of Germans at the time.

What a fabulous story. I absolutely loved it!.

It is a rare thing today to see such a beautiful film. Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench are stunning as the two sisters, Janet and Ursula Widdington. They compliment each other beautifully. Joining them in the role of their housekeeper, Dorcas, is the ever talented Miriam Margoyles. Daniel Bruhl is a fresh new talent as Andrea Marowski. Natascha McElhone is also very good as the spoiler Olga Daniloff. David Warner is suitably revolting as Dr.Francis Mead who is silly enough to want somebody who would never want him in a thousand years. The rest of the supporting cast as very good. I particularly liked the beautiful scenery and the recreation of period. This is a truly charming story with everything going for it. What a great pity it is that we no longer see as many films as this classic.

Cosy but unadventurous portrayal of rustic Cornwall just before WWII. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench play two delightful elderly buddies who discover a foreigner washed up on the beach. As they nurse him back to health their youthful jealousies and fantasies are stirred, but the stranger holds a secret in him that can unite the village and bring out the best in all of them. Daniel Bruehl and Natascha McElhone (as the stunning artist who reaches out to him) play their roles well and also provide delightful eye-candy in what is a beautifully observed, if rather leisurely, piece of cinema. The denouement makes the long wait more worth while, but this is a Sunday afternoon movie rather than an exciting night out.

Having a jaded palate, I was expecting to endure rather than enjoy Ladies in Lavender, but I was very quickly won over by the superb acting and the surprisingly high standard of direction. I also thought the re-creation of the atmosphere of the late 1930s was very sensitively done. Two exceptions: Olga was dressed in 1990s or even current-day style (yes, I know she is an 'artist' but even so...); the combination of flowers blooming in the garden was botanically highly unlikely even in Cornwall! Part, but only part,of the answer to the question of age posed by jackie-107 lies in the fact that the film is precisely set in 1939, as the Second World War breaks out with the German invasion of Poland, as reported on the radio, and not in 1936. But this only gives the sisters three extra years. The date also helps to explain Andrea's unorthodox arrival. Presumably he was the 1939 equivalent of an asylum-seeker! If so, this gives this 'escapist' film a rather interesting contemporary political relevance. Well worth seeing, even for cynics like me!

Interesting but flawed character study of 2 elderly sisters living in a British seacoast resort town who find a Polish young man who has apparently been shipwrecked.

With a broken ankle, the lad seems to make a rapid movie recovery. It turns out that he is a virtuoso when it comes to playing the violin.

Coincidentally, a visiting neighbor, who speaks German, arouses suspicion by speaking the latter language to him. She wants him to meet her well known musical brother and the doctor, David Warner, notifies the constable, that he suspects some espionage is going on. This film takes place in the late 1930s.

The problem with the film is that the sisters, played nicely by Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, are not able to fully develop their characters. Both are aging in the film and without make-up, they are like a sight for sore eyes. In fact, Smith looks like a thin Michael Caine in drag. We learn that Janet (Smith) was married and a nurse. Her husband died in World War 1. Ursula (Dench) is a typical spinster who seems to fall for the young lad.

The ending shows the difference in classes as well as the age aspects. While it is sad, it reminds us of the reality of life. The film is good but would have been outstanding with a stronger plot and character development.