Up at the Villa

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Up at the Villa

PG-13

Released May 5, 2000

1h 54m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

45%

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60 Reviews

36%

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1,000+ Ratings

Surrounded by the lush countryside of Italy, Mary Panton (Kristin Scott Thomas), a middle-aged and once-affluent widow, seems to have her financial future secured again when she attracts the notice of a wealthy wife-seeking diplomat (James Fox). But her fate turns when she meets bold American Rowley Flint (Sean Penn). Though he is married, the two cannot deny their passion and soon begin a complicated relationship that involves covering up a scandal and continuing deceit.

Critics Consensus

A poor script and an aimless plot keep this film from engaging the audience.

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Mike Clark

USA Today

For novelty value, you can do worse than seeing Sean Penn in a rare chance to don evening-wear on screen, but this isn't a sight to sustain a two-hour haul.

Jan 1, 2000

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Up at the Villa has the flavor of one of those after-dinner yarns.

Jan 1, 2000

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John Anderson

Newsday

The story line, full of malevolent fascists and romantic entanglements, isn't particularly invigorating.

Jan 1, 2000

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Kristin Scott Thomas just makes an already annoying character--Mary is whiny and selfish--even more grating with her broad, overly mannered performance.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 17, 2007

Full Review

Betsy Bozdech

DVDJournal.com

Almost less believable than the "far, far away" universe of Star Wars.

Rated: 1.5/4

Oct 21, 2006

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Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Steve D

Extremally unlikable and aimless.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Only good thing is the leads' performances.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Boring and slow movie

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

I miss watching decent periodic films, with beautiful scenic spots & solid-acting cast. Although this one was not really good already, looking rather old fashioned by looking back today.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

Definitely entertaining and very pretty, but the events are simply unbelievable based on Mary's character. Kristin Scott Thomas is ridiculously gorgeous and Anne Bancroft is killer as usual but something is just off with the writing/concept. Could have been really great -- alas.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

I had almost forgotten how dashing Sean Penn used to be quite a few years ago. The combination of Kristin Scott Thomas, and Sean Penn, is quite good in this nice little period drama. Slow moving...but nice.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Philip Haas

Director

Kristin Scott Thomas

Mary Panton

Sean Penn

Rowley Flint

Anne Bancroft

Princess San Ferdinando

James Fox

Sir Edgar Swift

Jeremy Davies

Karl Richter

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Synopsis

Surrounded by the lush countryside of Italy, Mary Panton (Kristin Scott Thomas), a middle-aged and once-affluent widow, seems to have her financial future secured again when she attracts the notice of a wealthy wife-seeking diplomat (James Fox). But her fate turns when she meets bold American Rowley Flint (Sean Penn). Though he is married, the two cannot deny their passion and soon begin a complicated relationship that involves covering up a scandal and continuing deceit.

Director: Philip Haas
Producer: Geoff Stier
Screenwriter: Belinda Haas, W. Somerset Maugham
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Universal Pictures, October Films, Mirage Enterprises, Intermedia Films
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2000, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.9M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)