Ladies in Lavender
—An Old-Fashioned Story about Two Old Dames
 
 
by The Blonde and The Maven
Film Columnists

Ladies in Lavender was originally a short story by William G. Locke. Charles Dance adapted it for the screen and directed it as well. The story is set in the years leading up to World War II on the Cornish coast of England. Two sisters sharing a cottage above the beach live comfortable, but dull, lives; that is, until one morning after an evening of storms, when they find Andrea, a ship-wrecked survivor washed up along the shore. The very British sisters and their housekeeper nurse this young gentleman back to health.
 
Janet Widdington, elegantly played by Maggie Smith (Gosford Park and the Harry Potter movies), is a logical and pragmatic widow who views Andrea as the son she never had. She speaks some German and is able to communicate with the young man. Ursula, stunningly played by Judi Dench (Chronicles of Riddick and the James Bond movies), is childlike and is a spinster whose affection for Andrea is far from maternal (to say the least). The housekeeper Dorcas, portrayed by Miriam Margolyes (Cold Comfort Farm and Being Julia), is cheerfully neutral through it all. Andrea, played by newcomer Daniel Brühl, turns out to be a Polish immigrant on his way to America to find a better life and a world in which to let his talents soar. His presence in the house opens old wounds, revives old resentments and rekindles long forgotten rivalries. Along the way, Andrea meets a young woman who not only stirs up trouble and jealousy for the sisters, but changes Andrea's life forever. The two sisters must face their feelings and must learn how to let go for the good of Andrea's future. Ladies in Lavender features music from Nigel Hess and the Royal Philharmonic, with breathtaking violin solos from Joshua Bell. Go find out first-hand why everyone’s making such a fuss over Andrea.  

The Blonde: Ladies in Lavender was like Enchanted April meets Cold Comfort Farm meets The Red Violin… Maven, watching this movie scared me. It was like us in 40 years (give or take a few years). Which one are you I wonder? Ya know, I have to be honest. This film was slow, a touch boring at times and kept things very secretive. However, I still found myself enjoying it because of the charming, sweet innocence it surrounded its storyline with. I think I had a hard time focusing completely because I had a hard day before going to meet you at the theater. Spending a day clothes shopping for my pre-teen daughter gave me a migraine and heartburn! You can take her for me the next time!

The Maven: No problem… as long as you give me your credit card and don't complain about what WE pick out!

The Blonde: NEVER MIND!

The Maven: I felt truly privileged to view this movie. I saw a Charlie Rose show a few weeks ago with the two dames on and they were so entertaining. I couldn't wait to see their film. I've had a crush on Charles Dance for years and was quite anxious to see his first directorial endeavor. It was, to say the least, magnificent. He captures Dame Judi's and Dame Maggie's passion in their glances, their posture, their gentile speech, and, most of all, he shows us that beauty is ageless.

The Blonde: Well, at YOUR age, that must be very reassuring! In addition, I am so proud of all those describing adjectives you just used. YOU GO GIRL! Ya know Mav, I loved the location they filmed this movie at. It was so beautiful, peaceful and serene. I think it would be nice for us to retire there one day.

The Maven: OH PLEASE, YOU WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR HAIR frizzing CONSTANTLY.

The Blonde: NO, I wouldn't. It's not humid there!

The Maven: Yeah right, it's England. And, what about the rocks, the smell of fish, and, above all, THERE ARE NO STARBUCKS ANYWHERE FOR THREE THOUSAND MILES?!

The Blonde: NEVER MIND!

Story continued on bottom

The Maven: Moving along, Peter Biziou provided an amazing cinematic experience by showing the honesty of Cornish Village life in the mid ‘30s. The gathering of hay and the fishing boats full of their catch was captured so well that I actually smelled fish.

The Blonde: Oh you did, but that was actually my breath…I ate tuna fish for dinner!

The Maven: Oh well, the views were beautiful anyway. Have you ever heard of Dentyne?

The Blonde: Ya know, maybe I could live without Starbucks to live there. I bet if I raised my daughter there, she wouldn't be asking for designer label clothing, Tiffany necklaces, Coach Purse's, iPods and make-up from Sephora!

The Maven: Honey, you couldn't live without your Starbucks for anything!

The Blonde: Yeah, you’re right! Can't fool THE MAVEN!  Let me ask you this, oh wise one. Other than a nun, have you ever heard of a 80ish year old virgin? That part of this film was hard to believe! Speaking of Ursula, she needs some serious hair color and her ends cut.

The Maven: Stupid, she's 80 years old and living in the ‘30s! This is not her major concern in life.

The Blonde: I don't care if I was 90 or living on the moon in the ‘20s, I would not let myself go like that!

The Maven: And you complain about your daughter wanting Coach???

The Blonde: NEVER MIND! I have to say one more comment. The violin playing throughout this film was breathtaking! It actually gave me goosebumps. It also proves that even though Andrea didn't speak English, his music gave him the advantage of a universal language unto itself. If truth be told, the violin playing was done by Joshua Bell. I will be running out to buy his album and this films soundtrack!

The Maven: Ladies in Lavender is a character-driven piece. It's phenomenally acted, beautifully scored…

The Blonde: Wait, wait, nobody at all scored in this film!

The Maven: As I was trying to say, and sensitively moving. How were THOSE adjectives?

The Blonde: Who scored in this movie??? Hello, Hello Maven?

The Maven: The music scored!

The Blonde: OH, OK!

The Maven: CAN I FINISH?! For those of you who have been yearning for an old-fashioned story about genuine people, not ax murderers, aliens, or Wall Street greed, then this is your movie! I rate it a B+ for breathtaking story telling and I highly recommend you go see this film now!

The Blonde: There's nothing wrong with those types of films, but I get the point! This is a touching, poignant, sweet tale, seldom seen in modern cinema today. I still don't comprehend the 80-year-old virgin part, though!  I think ladies over 35 will love this film. Men will TRULY HATE IT, unless they're a musician orVERY sensitive!  I rate Ladies in Violet a…

The Maven: For the hundredth time, it's LADIES IN LAVENDER!

The Blonde: STOP SCREAMING AT ME! MY DAUGHTER ALREADY GAVE ME A MIGRAINE! Violet, purple LAVENDER, ITS ALL THE SAME DARN COLOR! Now, I rate this film a B-. For your snacking pleasure, I recommend some hot tea, scones, crumpets and jam!

The Maven: EXCUSE ME, BLONDE, movie theaters don't sell that!

The Blonde: I am sure they do in England. Well, stop at the bakery on the way and sneak them in. Okay, fine—get some butterscotch and English toffee candy!

The Maven: THEY DON'T SELL THAT EITHER!

The Blonde: I AM GIVING YOU MY CREDIT CARD! YOU DEFINITELY DESERVE AN AFTERNOON OF SHOPPING WITH MY PRE-TEEN DAUGHTER!

The Maven: OH, CHLOE, I GOT THE CARD… WE'RE GOING TO COACH!!!