My House in Umbria (2003)

I need a ticket to Italy

I am a fan of Maggie Smith and this movie really showed her talent. Her clothes in this movie were fabulous! The story of the train explosion and how she took in the survivors and the family that developed out of it was just lovely. Her care for the orphaned girl was so delicate and so sad at the same time. The scenery in the movie is wonderful, as well, and makes you want to get your passport out. I liked the happy ending the best, when all are reunited. June 26, 2008

A 5-Star Gem!

What a wonderful picture!

Telling an intriguing, nuances story isn't easy; it takes genuine talent and artistic commitment on both sides of the camera.

That commitment to quality comes through loud and clear in listening to the voiceove commentary by the film's director and producer. For them the project was obviously a labor of love.

Some voiceover commentaries are rather flat and self-indulgent; but this one is, in its own way, as good as the movie itself!

The movie includes some of the finest ensemble actors around. The script is economical, lyrical and tightly-written; the casting is spot-on; and the overall mood and ambience of the film speaks movingly to the human condition.

This is the kind of movie that when you're watching it you think of it as "a-movie-that-can-just-as-easily-be-a-play." However, often the pitfall with those kinds of movies, is that what often happens is the movie then becomes too "staged," too presentational. But that's not the case here. Filmed, for the most part, on location in Italy, the movie takes full advantage of its naturalistic setting. It also, historically, "free-floats" the movie, indicating no specific historical setting. Indeed, the movie springs as much from "inside the head" of the Maggie Smith character as from the objective reality of the dialogue.

All this requires a clutch performance by Maggie Smith. But, then again, Maggie Smith is *always* superb. I think of her as the Lou Gehrig of film acting: the Iron Horse of professionalism, elegance, and wizardry. Her presence on screen is magical. If she's in a movie, see it, you won't be disappointed. She knocks in every runner on base.

Her scenes with Chris Cooper should be mandatory viewing for every film student, behind and in front of the camera.

Chris Cooper's job is to make you hiss and boo; while Maggie Smith's job is to break your heart.

There's no doubt the movie has its flaws; but compare this kind of "little gem" of a movie to the standard bill of fare the film industry regularly and grindingly produces. Personally, I'm grateful for the artistic integrity films like this represent.

~ Keep knockin' 'em in, Maggie! ~
May 20, 2008

Good Movie - Interesting Cast

Delightful and yet sometimes heart wrenching story. Beautiful oasis in Italy reminded me of "Enchanted April" and "A Room with a View" other great British based Italy movies. May 2, 2008

WORTH THE PRICE! HEALING IS THE THEME!

Maggie Smith is wonderful in this film. Her character is well developed. The theme of "HEALING" and the "TIME" that HEALING can take after a TRAUMA is a WELL DEVELOPED THEME.

What better place to heal than this picturesque landscape in Italy!

I wanted to go there!

Maggie's character, Emily, drinks quite a bit and does push drinks on the character played by Chris Cooper, the little girl's uncle. This bothered me because it seemed so overdone. But then, it reminded me of someone, a personal friend who used to do the same thing. Emily's purpose in her life is to heal, not only the victims of the train explosion - but, at the same time, to heal herself. There are a few black and white flashbacks that are easy to miss, showing abusive sex, presumeably, Emily being abused - its not explicit, but implicit. Soooo, everyone has a kind of post traumatic stress syndrome - The resolution of some loose ends related to the bomber of the train, was not very explicit, but, that's a minor critique. April 9, 2008

We All Want to Be Needed

Seems to be the main motto of the lead character of the leading character, Mrs. Delahunty (played by Maggie Sweet), even if she doesn't say it out.

Mrs. Delahunty is an elderly, romance novelist & alcoholic with a mysterious past whom owns a home in the Italian countryside of Umbria. She wears her heart on her sleeve & goes out of her way to feel needed and wanted by people around her... Mrs. Delahunty has a kind, generous heart & simply wants the best for those she meets.

We learn this all about Mrs. Delahunty as the story unfolds as Mrs. Delahunty & others she meets on the train are all aboard the train when a bomb causes major damage to the train and injury to those aboard. Mrs. Delahunty invites those that were sharing the train cabin she was in to recuperate at her home in Umbria. They take up her offer and all become friends. The youngest member of the group, a girl, lost her parents in the train bombing and an Uncle she's never met comes from the US to take her home. It doesn't appear that the Uncle isn't all that interested in taking care of her.... So, Mrs. Delahunty sets about trying to persuade the Uncle to come to another alternative.... The two do not see eye to eye on many levels, so we are left to see what will happen to the girl.... Plus the other guests, as we learn they all have their own personal lives to attend to as well.

"My House In Umbria" is a bit slow moving and a bit predictable.... otherwise a good film with a good message. January 26, 2008

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