Good story, Not enough for a whole film

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Woe is us! The writer of the book was the same author who gave us the great "Washington Square," which was turned into an Oscar-winning vehicle for Olivia De Havilland in 1949's "The Heiress."What a misery Lee Remick, of all people, found herself in this 1979 film. It's set in the 1850s or, just like "Washington Square" with Massachusetts being the area depicted. The father, an erudite figure, disowned his sister for marrying a Catholic, and the film deals with the children that she had who visit their family from Europe.The adult children meet the two sisters Charlotte and Gertrude. The latter is a woman ahead of her times. For some unexplained reason, the father wants her to marry the town pastor; he is so suited instead for the plain Charlotte. We needed 1 1/2 hours to be made to understand this? Their seems to be someone for everyone here, but the film ends and we really don't know if the Remick wound up with her cousin. To be honest, by that point, we really don't care.

I got a look at this movie last night on DVD and it was a very good movie viewing experience. I had never heard of this film at all but I liked the front cover (it wasn't the one next to this review) and also noticed Lee Remick was in it. So I gave it a try.First great thing I noticed was the beautiful fall colors all throughout this film,I really like that it was set in New England (New Hampshire to be exact). There's even a leaf covered outdoor stair-step that leads to a Gazebo which looks almost unreal. The Autumn look sets the tone of "change",that will take place during the course of the movie.There's also the absolutely perfect attention to detail in making it look and feel like your visiting 1850's America via your TV. Although made in 1979 and having been in theaters,this movie doesn't look like it was made nearly 30 years ago and even seems like it should have been a Masterpiece Theatre film. It really looks that great!The plot,as described,is Remick and other family cousin travel to America to see their U.S. relations. Also,because Remick's Baroness is being forced out of her marriage to royalty by the German Government. Gertrude is the eldest daughter in the family but is considered odd for her independent behavior and non-conforming attitude,that her father has successfully instilled in the rest of his family. So successful is he,that upon first watching this movie you'll think,"Boy this family is boring!" "Boy is that father a drag!"Which is exactly the point. The old fashioned strict values of that era are demonstrated in how staid & confining they were. Especially for women,who had to be virtual saints & objects of perfection and demure to the point of not having an identity all their own.The European cousins,don't purposely set out to "shake up" this family but,their being there does so just the same. Gertrude falls for her distant male cousin,male character Acton falls for the Baroness and the father of this film even shows a bit of relenting. It might surprise you to know that this film was a good box-office success here in 1979. Amazing possibly because there's really no cursing in this film,no violence and no one takes their clothes off.Which is refreshing for a change,the acting is on a very even level and is quite engaging,once you understand the characters better and the story becomes more clear to you.I also recommend the short-subject extra in this DVD. A film called,"Sweet Sounds",a 1976 film by the man who did the music for The Europeans. It's a cute and interesting film about 10 five year old kids learning about how music can relate to things. For me,it's revisiting a time when I was a kid. 10 out of 10 stars. No question. (END)

Ok, maybe I missed something, but the movie seemed very odd to me. The actors and actresses were either lethargic or over-hyper, and seemed to lack sincerity. So after the first five minutes, I gave up trying to follow the plot and concentrated on the costuming instead, which was fabulous. Period movies (especially ones made pre-1990) tend to care less about authenticity, and more about what looks good to the modern eye. This one was a pleasant surprise. In fact, the clothes were so good that I even wonder if they didn't use originals. I want to know, where did they get those incredible fabrics?? The hair, which is where most movies trip up the worst, was quite good except on the blonde lady (who looked like she stepped out of a 1979 issue of Vogue). Less black eye makeup would have completed the stunning job. All in all, I would recomend this movie to anyone at all interested in the look and feel of 1850s new england life, as a superb example of authenticity.

This film is a masterpiece as are all of the Merchant/Ivory's films. The absorbing story and adaptation, the fantastic actors - notably the immensely beautiful Lee Remick - and the eye for detail makes this a unique experience and may be watched again and again.