Aidan T
Boring and soporific - only the magnificent countryside captures my interest. This film has Emmy & Golden Globe awards - I do not know why!
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
02/28/24
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Audience Member
I really enjoyed this. The scenery was breathtaking and it was nice to see "Monk's" Emmy Clarke as a pre-teen. I have to be honest, I did enjoy it, but not as much as I expected. I liked the cast (really liked Maggie Smith) and the storyline as a whole. It took a weird turn with her relationship with Chris Cooper and I wasn't really sure where it was going. Overall it's worth watching. Hardly any swearing and no nudity, which was very refreshing since those things are few and far between these days.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
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Audience Member
Of course I loved Maggie Smith. She can tell so much in just a sideways glance. The Italian location was gorgeous. And the story kept my attention most of the time, but there was something lacking in the direction I think. Some of the acting and storyline just seemed awkward. For example, I really like Chris Cooper but his character was just too cold and uptight to be believed! Altogether though, I did enjoy it.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is one of my absolute-favorite movies. I saw it as a teenager and over the years, as I've seen it a couple of times, I love it more and more. The monologues in this film are a delight and, unlike other reviews here, I believe the story is quite strong, giving us an insight into an idyllic story about a woman's desire to heal others and in turn, heal herself from solitude and regret. The cinematography and the scenery is, obviously, unbelievably magical. I can't recommend this film enough to those in love with poetry, in love with the written and spoken word, in love with Italy, and in love with Maggie Smith.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/21/23
Full Review
matthew d
A melodramatic meandering mess.
Unfortunately, Maggie Smith's solid performance cannot save this overlong, overly sentimental, under written mixed bag. Smith can get obnoxious as an alcoholic, alone author, but she is largely entertaining as the lead. The acting is convincing, but they have little to work with as the script is full of cliches and simplistic plot points.
I cannot understand how My House in Umbria was allowed to be released as is for it comes across as preachy, melodramatic, and judgmental. Characters are stereotypes with little motivation and no development. The narrative is so basic that it should have been impossible to muddle up such a simple premise. However, much of what we see is based on speculation instead of evidence, coincidence instead of established events, and dream sequences instead of flashbacks. Choices are made that feel either out of character or random to the audience. I was so confused at many of the director's decisions.
Notably, there are superfluous scenes of dream sequences that are either real or imagined as needed by the plot. The way these sequences are edited into the movie are comically overly dramatized and amateur level effects work is on full display.
My House in Umbria is more frustrating than engaging. I found myself bored and often upset at how ridiculous certain plot-lines played out. I think only a die hard fan of Italy and romance novels could enjoy the scenery and sentimentality of this movie. It has charming moments, but overall falls flat as a coherent film.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I love this genre movie: the setting, the characters, the music, the costumes, the casting. It has mystery, sorrow, hurt, regret, healing, romance, rejection, hope. It expects the viewer to catch nuances, fill in hints, and to love gardens. A bomb blast throws strangers together to heal in a fellow victim's house in Umbria. It's a Harlequin Romance kind of movie. Watch it when you feel sad, cold, or in pain. It's just lovely.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/20/23
Full Review
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