GamerTab That was an excellent one.

FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Maleeha Vincent It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

SimonJack "A Month by the Lake" is a light comedy and drama about a love late in life for two Brits. It's set in 1937 around beautiful Lake Como, the deep glacial lake in the sub-Alps of Italy and Switzerland. The story is told through the eyes of Miss Bentley who has vacationed at the lake for years since 1913 with her father. He has died recently and this is her first time back at the lake.Miss Bentley is known by the staff of the villa-hotel where she stays, and she is a student of life. She befriends others who come to stay at the villa. This year, she meets a single Englishman, retired Army Major Wilshaw. Also in the mix this year are an Italian family with an American nanny, Miss Beaumont, some loud Americans, and local young Italian males. Vanessa Redgrave and Edward Fox are the seniors who meet and eventually come together. Their many years of single life lead to deep love eventually. This happens after the major is brought to life by the teasing of the young Miss Beaumont, played by Uma Thurman. This is a delightful story of life and single people coming together late in life. The two fine British performers shine in this enjoyable light melodrama. Fox plays a somewhat stuffy Brit - no one can do that better than he. Redgrave is a bouncy and perky spinster who's gentle passion is slowly awakened.The movie is based on a short story of the same title by H.E. (Herbert Ernest) Bates (1905-1975), a prolific English author. Bates wrote more than two dozen novels, several volumes of short stories, numerous collections of essays and non-fiction works, and several children's books. Various of his works have been been made into movies and popular British TV serials. Among these have been "The Purple Plain" of 1947, "Love for Lydia" of 1952, and "The Darling Buds of May" of 1958.This is a movie that allows viewers to slow down from the usual fast-paced action stuff of today. It gives modern audiences a chance to see quality acting by two great talents of the English stage and cinema.

tjmcgm I do not understand the people that say this is a good movie. I guess the potential is there... but it flopped big time. The only good thing about this movie is Redgrave. Oh yeah... and the hot young Italian she shuns...Storyline: older lady likes older man. Older man likes younger woman. Younger woman leads on older man. Audience falls asleep.Why anyone likes the older man is beyond comprehension. He is unattractive in so many ways. He has one of the most unlikeable personalities ever. And I don't mean that you will come to understand his quirky ways later in the movie... you don't. He is just as unlikeable in the end as he is in the beginning. Ms. Redgraves character is so enamored with him for NO reason at all. I don't understand it. He is not witty, polite, smart, anything... ick.Uma's character is pointless, mean and well... pointless and mean.Maybe the book was better than the movie. The movie stunk.

jhirsch-2 I don't usually comment but for once I don't agree with anybody else. Quite simply, I think this movie was confused and exaggerated and a waste of acting talent. The premise is a mix of standard conventions, the "white expatriates in a romantic foreign land" meets "laughter in the shadow of war" framework. I wouldn't mind the clichés so much, if not for:-Edward Fox's bizarre performance as the major, where he seems to waiver between creepy predator and grinning imbecile.-Typically elegant Vanessa Redgrave in a goofy impulsive performance where her seemingly complex inconsistencies really just make her look foolish.-Uma Thurman makes it hard to remember why she doesn't totally suck as an actress. I rarely knew what emotion she was trying to convey but perhaps people could be confused into thinking she was layered and mysterious.-The grinning Italians in the background might as well be Mario and Luigi for all the depth of character we get to see. They bob around happily, cheering and waving and doing pratfalls.-The central element, the love story between Redgrave and Fox, is totally stiff and unbelievable and made me feel weird just watching it.All told, I watch about 5 videos a week and this is one of the very few movies I have shut off before it's done. stay away.

George Parker "A Month by the Lake" has strong parallels with "Up at the Villa" as both films are about the idle rich who spend time at a villa in the North of Italy in the days prior to WWII. "A Month..." is a sublime story about a very starched Brit (Fox) and a somewhat capricious lady (Redgrave). Both mature, in late middle age, the principals stumble along on a collision course with love in this sweet, airy, picture postcard perfect little tale. An enjoyable watch for more mature audiences. A must see for Redgrave fans.