Ladies in Lavender

views updated

Ladies in Lavender ★★ 2004 (PG-13)

Sisters Janet (Smith) and Ursula (Dench) Widdington have their routine Cornwall cottage life turned about when a handsome, half-drowned young man (Bruhl), who happens to be a Polish violin virtuoso, washes up on their pebbled beach. How, we never find out. Passions and jealousies ignite in the sisters as they nurse him back to health and intercept the advances of a pretty young artist who is attracted to their patient's musical talents. The dames' performances do not disappoint, but the same cannot be said for Bruhl, who lacks depth in comparison. Gallant effort by Dance in reworking William J. Locke's short story, although a bit overreaching. 103m/C DVD . GB Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Bruhl, Miriam Margolyes, David Warner, Natascha (Natasha) McElhone, Freddie Jones, Clive Russell; D: Charles Dance; W: Charles Dance; C: Peter Biziou; M: Nigel Hess.