Overrated

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Admirable film.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

I was surfing through my prime video choices and came upon this gem. The whole time I was waiting for something bad to happen, but instead this small film is just a delight. Dench and Smith are at their usual brilliance. Nice to see a film with a happy ending. Now this isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy good acting and a decent plot this is for you. Cherry on top is a cameo played by Toby Jones.

Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones) amply demonstrates that he understands how to tell a great story. There are no tense action sequences to drag missing plot elements along. Just a well told story masterfully acted by (arguably) some of the best female actors in cinema history.One surprising element is how music seamlessly integrates into the narrative. Although the person performing the pieces isn't actually playing, the illusion is good enough.For people with very short attention spans or requiring fast paced action, this film just isn't for you. This is no action flick. It is a charming story of how a chance house guest changes the lives of the sisters and their town.For anyone wanting a quiet evening of even-paced, masterfully acted, work of film: it is a sure bet.

I'm not sure exactly what I'm "spoiling", because there isn't really a surprise ending, but I just want to cover my bases. I was attracted to this movie first, because it has Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, playing sisters. These two ladies are THE GRANDE DAMES of British Theater. The setting is the Cornwall coast, the period is late 1930s. A young, Polish man washes ashore (the reason/cause is never explained), he's not quite drowned, has a broken ankle and they decide to nurse him back to health, not knowing he doesn't speak English. Judi Dench's character immediately connects to him, although there is a vast age difference. He begins to pick up the language and exposes the talent of playing the violin like a virtuoso. A visiting neighbor, Olga, played by Natascha McElhorne hears him playing and is drawn to him like a moth to flame. But her interest is in his talent with the violin. She is an artist, her brother is a famous Russian violinist. She wants the sisters to convey her interest in his talent, but they hide that fact from him. Eventually, Olga and the young man meet and she spirits him to London to meet her brother. The young man then becomes famous and the two sisters return to normal life at their Cornwall home. I really enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys two SOLID performances by two great actresses.

An often breathtakingly acted project, Ladies in Lavender is a terrible disappointment. The story seems like a smouldering English tale of love and duty cracking heads. Ultimately it becomes a pleasant, well-observed but deflating tale about being English.Maggie Smith and Judi Dench may not be beyond criticism - no one is - but that means that there should be vigorous forelock tugging as they turn in yet more first class acting, irrespective of price, project or peers. I really recommend this film for seeing a great cross section of other super English actors: I remember thinking, 'yeah, but they forgot Jimmy Yuill' and then even he pops up in cameo. Nice.Daniel Brühl and Natascha McElhone are good they can't match the bucolic ease or the 'indigenous Cornish'. They are naturally outsiders though. The biggest problem - and it is a serious issue - is the determined romanticism of Dance, the director. I found the cadential slo-mos ofputting. The story (on paper) also needs the bite of backstory. 4/10