Onlinewsma Absolutely Brilliant!

Senteur As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

ActuallyGlimmer The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

KillerRomance Before I saw the movie last summer. As first impressions, I didn't know what to expect and the title of the film seemed boring, but I loved Dame Maggie Smith so I gave the movie a chance.Based on a novel by William Trevor is about a sophisticated, vulnerable, eccentric Authoress called Mrs Emily Delahunty (Maggie Smith) who is on her way to Milan on a monthly shopping trip with acquaintances on a carriage 219, they were about to look forward to the day in their own way until a bomb exploded on the carriage. Delahunty, Werner the young German (Benno Fürmann), General (Ronnie Barker), traumatised although unscathed but gone mute from the horror is 8 year old American Girl Aimee (Emmy Clarke) who are survivors. Out of Kindness and loneliness - Delahunty invite them to stay long term to her healing pensione and recuperate in her piece of paradise, the scenic vistas of the Italian country living. Thomas Riversmith (Chris Cooper) enters as Aimee's nitpicking Scientific Uncle with his share of brokenness​ and he too is slowly going through a transition like the others. As soon as healing process begins with everyone and coming to terms of their loses and gains through friendship, magic happens as well as their own purposes and Destinies.The atmosphere of this movie reminds me of Tea with Mussolini, but with a simplified plot whereas Tea with Mussolini has more characters and more serious Drama, My House in Umbria is light-hearted but you feel just as sympathetic for the characters. The versatile Maggie Smith is such a legend and won a deserved award as the dry humoured, elegant, Earth Angel that has a spiritual gift who comes to terms with a troubled secret past in search of her inner fulfilment as her form of Happiness, Inspector Girotti (Giancarlo Giannini from a walk in the clouds) is brilliant, Quinty (Timothy Spall) is wonderful as her assistant (his Irish accent is flawless). Chris Cooper is interesting as the attractive but blunt and straight laced Professor who is secretly passionate but not engaging to social relationships besides his work. Fürmann had the look of dread and worry and he put on a smart performance. The cast is wonderful, the setting, the pacing of the movie is perfect.What an enchanting movie with magic like Chocolat, it has warmth and charm without the Hocus Pocus. Goes to show that Humans as a living spirit can make magic when they connect.I own this movie on DVD now and can't stop watching it. Well done.

pippymac This is quiet gem of a film. The storyline is basic, almost simplistic, but the direction allows the actors to add value where it counts.Maggie Smith is delightful as the aged authoress, with a penchant for Grappa who, after a bomb explodes on a train, offer the survivors of her compartment, recuperation at her home in Umbria.The Italian countryside is simply magnificent, the photography of Maggie Smith's villa and its surrounds(or should I say Mrs Delahunter's villa) gives a beautiful feeling of a somewhat tired place of residence for a somewhat tired individual, who has been there and done that but in a rather upper class British way. There are the usual disparate individuals coming to terms (or not?) with their their problems and then we have the police inspector, trying to suss whether any of the 'guests' can help. Unfortunately this aspect of the film, particularly the dealings with the police inspector, adds little and if anything detracts from the story. It is a necessary component but I feel could have been integrated better.The supporting cast, particularly Ronnie Barker and Timothy Spall, add to the ambiance of the film and its quiet charm.Why only seven out of ten? The direction I think is a little too light in that if it were not for the calibre of the actors, this might have been a poor 'B' Movie, but perhaps that is what the Director intended by letting good acting raise the film beyond its basic storyline.This is now shown on TV, so give yourselves a treat, forget being a film reviewer and just soak up the acting and the atmosphere. If it is not on your local TV, it is worth renting for a night - just make sure you and you partner(it is essential that you and your partner watch this together) have a nice chilled glass of a sparkling Italian wine and indulge in quiet, but thoroughly pleasant entertainment.

Kyle Rains I will not attempt to summarize the plot - only to express my gratitude for giving Dame Maggie a meaty role - I dangled upon her every word and expression. And thank God for a movie with characters over the age of 30. Thanks for giving those of us who love Italy a free vacation.Now tell me, those of you who have criticisms - would you or would you not (if this were real) like to spend a week or even a year with Mrs. Delahunty in her villa? I don't think her prescient dreams, meddling, snooping, rambling reminiscences nor her grappa drinking would bore me a bit. In fact I would join in with wine, gin and tonic and grappa and even a (gasp) cigarette!A slow Umbrian repast each evening under the candle-lit wisterias -- ahh now that is savoring life. And this movie teaches other lessons of life as well if you choose to listen.

keith-267 I certainly enjoyed this quality movie. The entire cast looked as if they had lived where they were for years. Maggie Smith has played some monumental parts in her career, but this was surely her best. Totally convincing as the alcoholic looking for something to enhance her life and give it meaning, she acted gently and convincingly throughout. The late Ronnie Barker played a part which might have been made for him. A soft,undemanding role, but played brilliantly by one of the United Kingdom's most underrated actors. Aimee was the orphaned child supplying a deep felt need by her temporary guardian (Maggie Smith)and the part was well played by this young actress. Timothy Spall, as an Irishman, for once, was entirely convincing in this supporting, but important role. I felt this was a film which showed his acting talents off very well. The one part in the cast which I felt was not quite believable was the Italian detective. Having said this, the part was well played, but it was not what I would have expected from a policeman in any country. Real policeman intrude and I thought the part was written more like a fond uncle. Overall I was glad to have seen this movie because it was memorable and of excellent quality