The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone

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The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone

TV-MA

2003

1h 59m

Drama

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2 Reviews

58%

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250+ Ratings

Karen Stone (Helen Mirren) is a former actress who has settled into a staid marriage with a wealthy husband (Brian Dennehy). After he suddenly dies during an Italian vacation, Karen is left alone and in need of company. When she meets the enigmatic Contessa (Anne Bancroft), Karen is set up with the handsome, and much younger, Paolo (Olivier Martinez), which leads to an intense romance. Trouble arises, however, when it seems that Paolo may not reciprocate Karen's deep affection for him.

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John Leonard

New York Magazine/Vulture

Anne Bancroft plays the pimp-contessa, and Roger Allam is a sort of Williams surrogate, as overblown as the story itself and the soundtrack that tells us how to feel.

Jan 30, 2018

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Arthur Lazere

culturevulture.net

There's no poetry in Sherman's writing and there's more than a little cliched sentimentality.

Apr 30, 2003

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Don K

Obviously, there is only so much a great actress can do under mediocre direction and screenplay, especially when she must couple her performance with her two left-footed co-stars—one of whom is over the top; the other quite a bit under. Which is to say, one whose wretched soul plays in front of her face; the other whose soulless character plays so blatantly. These secondary performances, from Bancroft (oh, pity the memory of Mrs Robinson) and Martinez, carry little nuance. Ms Mirren, however, carries them both. But even a commanding actress like Mirren can only do so much—no matter how admirably she does it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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Alain E

Excellent rendition of the Tennessee Williams play. It takes significant bravery both from Helen Mirren and Ann Bancroft to interpret their roles. A true Roman tragedy!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Isabel S

Great chic flick for a wine night with the girls.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

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Lee R

I loved it, but then again watching Helen Mirren never gets old. ;)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/06/20

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Audience Member

Well, Helen Mirren is wonderful....but, the movie itself just erupted into very strange territory. I completely did not get the business with the mentally ill vagrant twin...

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

Love the Performance by Helen Mirren, Great Story. I can watch it over and over!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Robert Allan Ackerman

Director

Helen Mirren

Karen Stone

Olivier Martinez

Paolo di Lio

Anne Bancroft

Contessa

Brian Dennehy

Tom Stone

Rodrigo Santoro

Young Man

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Synopsis

Karen Stone (Helen Mirren) is a former actress who has settled into a staid marriage with a wealthy husband (Brian Dennehy). After he suddenly dies during an Italian vacation, Karen is left alone and in need of company. When she meets the enigmatic Contessa (Anne Bancroft), Karen is set up with the handsome, and much younger, Paolo (Olivier Martinez), which leads to an intense romance. Trouble arises, however, when it seems that Paolo may not reciprocate Karen's deep affection for him.

Director: Robert Allan Ackerman
Producer: James Flynn, Morgan O'Sullivan
Screenwriter: Martin Sherman
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: TV-MA (V|S|D), R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Runtime: 1h 59m

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