Up at the Villa

PG-13

Released May 5, 2000

1 hr. 54 min.

Drama

List

45%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

35%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Steve D

Extremally unlikable and aimless.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

dave g

A fun Period Piece.. Great Acting by all Actors ... Anne bancroft was a Delicious.. Sean Penn was Outstanding... Kristin Scott Thomas was as usual ..Great..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Apr 25, 2003

Full Review

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C-

May 5, 2000

Full Review

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

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Stanley F. Buchthal, Guy East, Arnon Milchan, Sydney Pollack, Nigel Sinclair
Screenwriter: Belinda Haas, W. Somerset Maugham
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Intermedia Films, Universal Pictures, October Films, Mirage Enterprises
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2000, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.9M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)