Enchanted April Movie Review
The Enchanted April movie is a whimsical, delightfully styled period piece perfect for any moviegoer looking for a magical and enchanting experience with happy endings.
Directed by Mike Newell, the award-winning 1991 film (with three Academy Award nominations) tells the tale of four women in 1920s England who, tired of their mundane lives in London, escape to a charming seaside villa in Italy (a small medieval Italian castle called San Salvatore) for April.
The women transform amid the picturesque landscape while exploring their beautiful new surroundings.
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With its idyllic setting and superb cast, including Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, Polly Walker, Jim Broadbent, Alfred Molina, and Michael Kitchen, Enchanted April is an unforgettable cinematic experience and a brilliant adaptation of Elizabeth von Arnim’s exceptional novel.
Accented by gorgeous costumes and richly detailed sets and locations (filmed mostly at Castello Brown – the real place that inspired Elizabeth von Arnim’s novel), Enchanted April was widely praised upon its release and has become something of a modern classic.
THE STORY
The 1991 film Enchanted April tells the story of a group of four different Englishwomen and unlikely companions who rent a villa in Italy for the month of April to escape London’s dreariness and their drab daily routines.
The period drama begins centered around Mrs. Lotty Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) and Mrs. Rose Arbuthnot (Miranda Richardson), two women trapped in uninspired marriages.
The two belong to the same ladies’ club, and when Lotty comes across a newspaper ad in the London Times for the Italian villa, she impulsively decides to rent it. And after some persuasion, she convinces Rose to go with her.
The two women, miserable with their current situations, long for adventure and freedom, so, on a whim, they decide to go for it, subverting the expectations of post-WWI society and their inattentive husbands.
To help pay for the villa, they decide to share expenses with Mrs. Fisher (Joan Plowright), a lonely woman in her ’60s longing for the past, and Lady Caroline Dester (Polly Walker), a beautiful but bored socialite tired of all the grabby men seeking her attention.
Together, the women spend the month exploring the serene countryside of the Italian Riviera and rediscovering themselves at the Italian castle retreat – a place with special magic. In the film, marriages heal, friendships develop, and romance blossoms.
The movie is funny, heartwarming, and ultimately uplifting.
MEMORABLE CHARACTERS AND THE STELLAR PERFORMANCES
MEET LOTTY WILKINS
Josie Lawrence gave a stunning performance as the fascinating character of Lotty Wilkins. Lawrence brings wit and intelligence to her portrayal of a dutiful wife trapped in a loveless marriage to an (at first) cold, stingy lawyer, Mellersh Wilkins (Alfred Molina).
Despite Lotty’s initial dissatisfaction with her husband and her longing for love and affection, Wilkins exudes an innate joyfulness and radiant optimism that enables her to finally find her true self while visiting the idyllic setting of San Salvatore in Italy.
Lawrence truly embodies the spirit of Lotty Wilkins, breathing life into this captivating character and capturing the hearts of audiences everywhere with her flawless, ethereal performance.
ROSE ARBUTHNOT
In this complex and nuanced portrayal of Rose Arbuthnot, Richardson skillfully depicts the broken spirit of a woman deeply disappointed by her philandering husband – played by Jim Broadbent.
However, the depressed Mrs. Arbuthnot soon catches the eye of Mr. Briggs (Michael Kitchen), the lonely but kind owner of the villa. He sees her as a disappointed madonna, like the women in the paintings.
And in Italy, Rose slowly starts to blossom back to life – finding beauty all around her.
In her passionate and conflicted glory, Miranda Richardson brings Rose to life through her subtle expressions and masterful control over her body language, giving a layered, beautiful performance.
She even won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.
MRS. FISHER
If anyone was ever born to play the Victorian Mrs. Fisher, it was Joan Plowright, bringing gravitas, humor, and warmth to the role. It’s as if the character walked right out of the book and onto the screen.
In Enchanted April, Mrs. Fisher is a woman in her sixties, longing for a past now gone (she was friends with numerous famous authors and other important figures of the Victorian Age) and for affection and life in the present.
At first, Mrs. Fisher is chilly and snobbish, but the other women (especially Lotty) soon capture her heart, melting away her loneliness.
Plowright received an Academy Award nomination for her performance, and while she didn’t win, she did win the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.
LADY CAROLINE DESTER
Finally, Polly Walker (from Bridgerton) brings the beautiful young socialite Caroline Dester to life with all the fierceness, passion, and boredom that the character exudes.
Dester is a woman who is used to being the center of attention – much to her annoyance. So, when she goes to Italy, she wants a break from all the obsessive men to think and decide what she wants for her life.
Walker captures Caroline’s underlying wit and humanity. Walker could have made Dester an unlikable character if misplayed, but she was able to find the human beneath the surface (capturing the essence of Lady Caroline in the book), making her someone we can all root for in the story.
In Italy, Lady Caroline Dester finds what she’s looking for but in an unexpected way.
THE MEN
It’s not just the actresses that shine in Enchanted April.
Alfred Molina, who plays Lotty’s cold and stingy husband, Mr. Wilkins, really brings the part to life – showing us both his obnoxious qualities at home and the growing love he feels for his wife when he joins Lotty in Italy.
He depicts the part of the typical working man of the time but loosens up and transforms when he goes to the magical San Salvatore.
Jim Broadbent plays Mr. Arbuthnot, Rose Arbuthnot’s philandering husband, with a creepy, unlikeable approach. Or is that just me still seeing him as the pimp, Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge?
Nevertheless, I found Mr. Frederick Arbuthnot as the least likable of the men. He pursues Lady Caroline, ignores his wife, and suddenly falls in love with Rose again when in Italy. While I don’t “buy” their reunion, Broadbent is still excellent!
And then there’s Mr. Briggs, played by Michael Kitchen (Yes, from Foyle’s War!). He has the least showy performance of the men and the most romantic.
He becomes infatuated with Rose – sees the beauty within, and ultimately ends up in the right place by the end. Michael Kitchen plays Briggs rather well, adding a touch of authentic romance to the movie.
THE FILMMAKING
Besides the memorable story and fine performances, Enchanted April is a beautiful and artistic film with breathtaking scenery in the style of a Merchant-Ivory production. If you liked A Room With a View or Howards End, you’d likely love Enchanted April.
Peter Barnes received an Oscar Nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay (the script is absolutely sublime) for the film, while Sheena Napier received a nomination for Best Costume Design – both deservedly so.
The cinematography (from cinematographer Rex Maidment) is stunning, the production design authentic, Director Mike Newell shows excellent skill, and the score beautiful, all perfectly bringing the story to life.
ENCHANTED APRIL: BOOK VS FILM (MINOR BOOK SPOILERS)
If you’ve read the original book by Elizabeth von Arnim, you may wonder about the changes from book to film.
As far as adaptations go, Enchanted April is one of the closest book-to-film adaptations I’ve seen. It’s very close to the novel, from the close dialogue to the sets used and the cast.
However, two significant differences exist:
One, a plot point later in the novel that is supposed to be a twist concerning Mr. Arbuthnot is instead revealed in the first few minutes of the film.
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So, if you haven’t read the book or seen the film, definitely read the book first. The change was a little disappointing because the surprise was a good one.
And then, the character of Mr. George Briggs (Thomas Briggs in the book) is altered from the original text. He’s much more romantic and authentic in the movie, changed to make the movie’s romance more palatable for moviegoers.
Still, these are minor changes. I liked Mr. Briggs better in the film version – even if I understand why von Arnim wrote his character differently for a thematic purpose in the book.
Ultimately, read the book and then watch the film. Both are excellent!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Enchanted April is a beautiful film everyone needs to see – especially if you’re a period dramedy fan. The locations are gorgeous, the costumes are lovely, and the acting is top-notch.
But what makes this movie truly special is its ability to tell a story and transport the audience to a different time and place. Whether seeking an escape or appreciating the excellent screenplay, Enchanted April will sweep you off your feet.
Overall, Enchanted April is a must-see for period drama lovers everywhere! It’s a magical, captivating film with awe-inspiring performances from its eclectic cast. So, if you haven’t already seen it, be enchanted by Enchanted April today!
Content Note: PG (mild)
Where to Watch (Availability at the time of publication): Stream on Prime Video or rent/buy on Digital and DVD.
Have you seen the Enchanted April movie? What did you think? Do you agree with our review of Enchanted April? Did you find the film as enchanting as we did? Let us know in the comments below.
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Great post! I saw the movie ages ago, and just recently (finally!) read the book. It was helpful to read your close analysis. I was also struck by the difference between Mr. Briggs in the book and the movie. On the whole, I like the insight we get into Mellersh and Frederick in the book more than the movie – it doesn’t make them more sympathetic, but it does make them more “real.” For Mr. Briggs, though, I agree that the movie version is definitely more fleshed out and romantic, as well as timely with the post-war setting. I also think it puts Caroline/Sprat in a better light.
Thank you! And thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s always interesting noting the differences between a book and film.
This is literally one of my favourite films of all time. I have the book on my Kindle, but I haven’t read it yet.
You will love the book!