Tea With Mussolini

Rating:
Summary: UNDERRATED AND TERRIFIC
Review: Tea With Mussolini definitely toys with credibility and has that old-fashioned sheen of movies made in the 40s and 50s, but these are pleasures that actually enhance the experience of watching it. The actresses are all in fine form, especially Joan Plowright, who is pure magic. Cher is well-cast in the role of an over-the-top Jewish woman with tons of money. The boys who play Luka are mesmerizing, both as aa young boy and as a teenager. The Italian locations are drenched with old beauty, and the musical score evokes emotion without bombast. This is a beautiful movie you will want to watch more than once.

Rating:
Summary: New Actor Baird Walace
Review: I have been tremendously impressed with the performance of Baird Wallace in his portrayal of the role of Luca in this film. I have not have had the opportunity to see any of this young actors other works but find him extremely promising in the future.

Rating:
Summary: These ladies were robbed!
Review: What? No Oscars? It was a crime. TWM is so much more than a wonderful movie! I eagerly awaited its release, and when it flew through the theaters then disappeared, I decided I'd been saved from a dreadful error. But when my husband insistently rented the video, I was utterly mesmerized. This is absolutely the best film I have seen in years, and it proves yet again that Cher is a far better actress than a singer. And Joan Plowright -- always an exquisite treasure. Don't rent--BUY this movie. You will never regret it. You will want your children to see it.

Rating:
Summary: Sparkling cast, but where's the fizz?
Review: A lovely movie with a worldclass ensemble- but Judi Dench was terribly underused and miscast as the sort of ditzy artist with her heart on her sleeve. Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith, along the same lines, should have been given more to do, rather than relegate them to the backdrop. However, Cher and Lily Tomlin were on target and highly engaging. This was worthwhile feel-good-eye-candy type movie to be enjoyed with a grain of salt.

Rating:
Summary: no tea for me please!
Review: what can i say about this movie......it was the most pointless zeffirelli outing i have ever seen. when i was a teenager, i thought zeffirelli's romeo and juliet was bad! after seeing tea with mussolini, one can see why movies such as life is beautiful or even schindler's list are more popular. what i say is simple...if you want to watch this movie on a rainy weekend, don't! SIT BACK AND ENJOY A JAMES BOND MOVIE! you can buy them right here on amazon.com and they ARE great!

Rating:
Summary: a film that stirs the heart
Review: The film "Tea with Mussolini" deals with complex issues in such a subtle way that it is easy to dismiss if the viewer overlooks the intriquite relationships of the characters. How the characters evolve from being self-involved (their love of the arts and formalities) to becoming caring individuals and creating bonds that overcome the heirarchies of the social class structure due to race, nationality, war and a young boy that pulls them together. Luca a young Italian boy copes with having no family due to being an illigitamate child in picturesque Italy during The Second World War. Lucas mothers death and his father's refusal to take him into his care due to a wife that would not accept him lead him to find a new family with his father's secretary (Joan Plowright) and her sociatal peers The Scorpioni (The Scorpions) named for the groups sharp wit and poisonous bite. This group takes young Luca into their privliged clique and shares in the education and introduces young Luca to The Arts which is the groups passion. Little do they know that by doing this they have began on a road to self change that will alter thier view on the world, thier friendships and detestations of others in the group. This film is a story of compassion, friendship, art, family, accepatance, change, egos, jeolousy and shows the letting go of beliefs and the opening of hearts. The cast is first rate with the likes of Cher, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright, Lily Tomlin and Judi Dench along with the perfect casting of the character Luca played by Baird Wallace (Luca: teenager) and Charlie Lucas (Luca: child) both of these fine young actors will grab the viewers heart and make him want to help with the caring of and the education of this heart grabbing character. Luca's troubles will affect the viewer and pull at one's heartstrings. Baird Wallace is talented young actor that holds his own and deserves praise and notice from the industry. Recomendations: Buy this film, it is a film with grit and emotions that will make you examine your own life and wish that you could have been as bleesed as Luca had.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent movie!
Review: My wife insisted we watch this film - since it was not something in which I was interested (dramas and romances are not usually what I prefer to watch)I picked up a book and began reading. Within minutes, I was completely enraptured by this movie and forgot about the book. While a picture with the title TEA WITH MUSSOLINI sounds leisurely, trust me, it's not. It moves forward beautifully telling a true story of English and American women in Italy at the breakout of the war and its effect on them and the Italian child they have all raised together. This is a remarkable film (an epic in small movie disguise)with indelible performances from a perfect cast esp. Cher and Joan Plowright. Why neither they nor this film have appeared on many (if any) best of the year lists is completely mind-boggling to my wife and myself. The play is truly the thing here and director Zeffirelli has done a marvelous job telling a wonderful story (his own life)that's ultimately irristible. Filled with humor, hope and inspiration - words that usually make producers cringe these days but words that still mean the best in great moviemaking. My choice for best film of the year and one of the best of all time. A minor masterpiece. Please give it a try...I don't think you'll be disappointed if you're looking for something with great heart that has something to say about the dignity of the human spirit. Better than LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. A gem!

Rating:
Summary: tea graceful and leisurely
Review: A grand ensemble of female actors, gorgeous location shooting in Florence makes for an enjoyable film. The development of the various characters almost makes one forget however, there is hardly a binding story line driving the film forward! The story is the Scorpioni - the English ladies, or is it the boy, the advent of war in Italy, the art - it doesn't matter, since the scenes move gracefully and leisurely along!

Rating:
Summary: Should Get Several OSCAR Nods!
Review: Stand out performances by a great ensemble cast. Cher, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, but, my oscar nod would go to Joan Plowright. The remainder of this great cast also deserve praise but I found the only reason why the film captivated me was because of Joan Plowright and the great portrayal of her character. Great sets, costumes, locations, direction and cinematography. Entertaining, interesting, and a good reflection of Europe at an important time in history. A big thumbs up to Franco Zeffirelli. I don't care if he imbelished or simplified his life story it made a great movie and so did he! I would recommend this movie to all but the very small children. Educational and Entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: Should Get Several OSCAR Nods!
Review: Stand out performances by a great ensemble cast. Cher, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright and etc.... Great sets, costumes, locations, direction and cinematography. Entertaining, interesting, and a good reflection of Europe at the time.