Enchanted April

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Enchanted April

PG

1991

1h 33m

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

83%

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5,000+ Ratings

When married British women Rose Arbuthnot (Miranda Richardson) and Lottie Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) decide to take a break from their respective spouses, they stay at a castle in Italy for a quiet holiday. Joining the ladies is Caroline Dester (Polly Walker), a young socialite, and Mrs. Fisher (Joan Plowright), an older aristocrat. Liberated from their daily routines, the four women ease into life in rural Italy, and each finds herself transformed by the experience.

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Critics Consensus

Mike Newell's adaptation of Elizabeth von Arnim's moves at a more generous pace than the 1935 version, allowing excellent performances from Miranda Richardson and Joan Plowright to flourish.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

The film builds with ease and quiet confidence into something lovely.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

In a raucous movie summer, this is a film for those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine, and a recollection of a time when women and movies could be purveyors of enchantment.

May 27, 2011

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Variety Staff

Variety

Strong cast's reliable playing is undercut by a script that dawdles over well-trod territory.

Jul 6, 2010

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

If you're considering marriage counseling, watch "Enchanted April." Instead of blaming your spouse, embrace the fact that your annoyance comes from you being reflected back to yourself. We can only change ourselves.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2019

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Owen McNally

Hartford Courant

What makes the magic work for the viewer is the exceptional individual performances as well as the fine ensemble efforts that director Mike Newell has orchestrated so beautifully.

Jan 28, 2019

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Saporta Report (Atlanta)

A small sun-dappled pleasure of a film.

Jul 7, 2017

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Carol E

This has long been our family’s go to film when we need cheering up. Funny, warm hearted and beautifully filmed, with great actors and a stunning setting. Leaves you feeling uplifted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

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Alec B

The best thing here is how the movie completely understands the fantasy of renting an Italian villa to escape and reset one's life. The ending is a little silly but the cast sells the hell out of it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

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Caroline C

Between the World Wars, a handful of English women and men converge in Italy for the wisteria and sunshine there one April. The gentle beauty of this film and its characters' appeal have us, in our house, forever calling Alfred Molina "Mellersh", no matter how many bigger roles he might play.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/23

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Massoud H

I feel so happy and spiritually healthier each of the (many, *many*) times I have seen this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/30/22

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Raven M

Two love-lorn housewives, an old spinster and a sought-after socialite hope to escape the dreariness of their lives by renting a villa in sunny Italy. The wives rekindle the romance with their husband, the spinster's loneliness is relieved through friendship and the socialite finally discovers true love. The occupants of the villa are all transformed by the enchantment of their time spent together. And in the end, their lives are all changed for the better through love and friendship.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/22

Full Review

Audience Member

The best thing here is how the movie completely understands the fantasy of renting an Italian villa to escape and reset one's life. The ending is a little silly but the cast sells the hell out of it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Mike Newell

Director

Miranda Richardson

Rose Arbuthnot

Joan Plowright

Mrs. Fisher

Alfred Molina

Mellersh Wilkins

Josie Lawrence

Lottie Wilkins

Polly Walker

Caroline Dester

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Synopsis

When married British women Rose Arbuthnot (Miranda Richardson) and Lottie Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) decide to take a break from their respective spouses, they stay at a castle in Italy for a quiet holiday. Joining the ladies is Caroline Dester (Polly Walker), a young socialite, and Mrs. Fisher (Joan Plowright), an older aristocrat. Liberated from their daily routines, the four women ease into life in rural Italy, and each finds herself transformed by the experience.

Director: Mike Newell
Producer: Ann Scott
Screenwriter: Peter Barnes
Distributor: Miramax Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.8M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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