Enchanted April (1992) (2nd time)

Four women rent a chateau on a remote Italian island to try to come to grips with their lives and relationships. [imdb]

Nominated for 3 Oscars:

Best Supporting Actress: Joan Plowright
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Costume Design

Don't trust the poster. Quality-wise, this has nothing to do with A Room with a View or Howards End. Not that it's bad, but those 2 previously mentioned are classics of their genre. This one is just ok. Yet I'll admit this really is a hell of a poster! :D

It's a slow, simple, relaxing movie. The performances are just ok, with the exception of Miranda Richardson who's (as usual) much more than average (but how did she win the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy for this?! when it really is a dramatic role). Enchanted April felt better the second time around; I've noticed some smart directorial choices and it did feel more relaxing than the 1st time.

Joan Plowright's nomination (and almost win) is one honouring her entire (mostly theatre?) career; that's how you can explain it, because it's quite unspectacular and I could give one or two names (even from her own film) who could have replaced her. The best (and only) thing about it is her voice-over work. The Adapted Screenplay nomination is acceptable and the one for Costume Design quite deserved.

My rating for the film: 7/10. If you're in the mood for a quiet British film, non-demanding and with a beautiful scenery, go for it!