Tea With Mussolini

I'm a sucker for this type of movie. The acting was superb; the scenery very interesting; the colors and video crisp and appealing; and the story good enough. This is more a character movie than anything, and it was a pleasure to watch.

Zeffirelli's artistic eye is evident here; there are tableaux strewn about the movie that are wonderful gems, visual little treats of costume, design, and Italy. Unfortunately, you'll have to tolerate some very spotty acting and weird pacing and awkward plot development to see them. Fortunately, you'll also be rewarded with some very lovely acting by a cavalcade of British lionesses. Look up "withering" in Wikipedia, and you'll see Maggie Smith's picture. And Joan Plowright's puppy eyes are ageless...she is so darling in this film, she acts as salve to Ms. Smith's saltiness.

"Tea With Mussolini" on the surface is a women's film. The lead characters are a group of elderly English women and two Americans (Cher and Lily Tomlin). These woman have chosen to live in Florence, Italy during the 1930--1946 time frame which begins with fascism and ends with the Scottish coming to take back the city.

What makes this film is foremost the cast, and the city itself which is a gem, and finally the careful brush of history upon the women's everyday lives. "Tea" is one of the best "Coming of Second Age" films I have seen in a long time.

I am a big fan of Judy Dench and Maggie Smith, and Joan Plowright. This was a great movie. Great job of casting.

As memoirs go, this is one of those "life films", the kind that have no immediately discernible plot but ride instead on the charm of their vignettes and characters. The ensemble cast hardly needs a spiel. Suffice it to say that fans won't be disappointed as all of them realize their eccentric characters with joyfully unmitigated indulgence. They're blithe, they're insouciant, and they strut their stuff with elan. It's a comical but inspiring scene when our happy band stands up to the Germans.

What's more, the sense of time and place is impeccable. Italy itself is practically a character. Expect travelogue-worthy shots of Florence. The calendar says 1935, that haunting time of a Europe sandwiched between the wars. Even before the first sounding of tanks or dictators, in every word and deed there is just the slightest trace of irresolution, an uneasiness.

Impatient viewers stand warned: this is a mood piece that unravels quite leisurely, meanders almost, using its entire first half for character exposition and sowing little story details. But viewers with an eye for culturally uplifting entertainment will find that Tea With Mussolini hits the spot with great aplomb.