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Tea with Mussolini (1999)
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Writers:John Mortimer, Franco Zeffirelli(autobiography)
Cast: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Cher, Lily Tomlin,
Genre: Drama, Light Comedy
Length: 117 minutes
In 1935 in Florence Italy, a group of well-to-do elderly British women, conduct their life around things that they feel is important...art, civility and tea. They've made Florence their home and relish in the art of the ancient city. The Italians have nick named this group the Scorpioni...and they are stubborn. Along comes two boisterous Americans...Elsa a rich, flashy Broadway performer (played by Cher) and a no nonsense lesbian archeologist (played by Lily Tomlin.)
When WWII looms on the horizon their position in the community is threatened by Mussolini's 'black shirts'. Despite being told to leave the country, as they are now enemies of the state, the women stubbornly refuse. Instead they take their complaints to Mussolini himself, putting trust in the dictator to keep his word that they will be safe in Italy.
I liked this film. It wasn't overly serious, in fact sometimes it had a light wit about it. At times it did feel more like a tense drama but when Cher and especially Lily Tomlin were in the scenes it took on a light feel. Which isn't bad as it makes the film very watchable.
I enjoyed the British cast of veteran actors (Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright) and Cher was good in this too. This is based on an actual event and the screen writer of this movie was actually part of this story. I won't tell you which character he was, you'll just have to watch the movie to find out.
Tea with Mussolini,Is a nice film, with nice settings and was a joint venture between British and Italian film makers. It offers a little of something for everyone.
.
Tea with Mussolini (1999)
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Writers:John Mortimer, Franco Zeffirelli(autobiography)
Cast: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Cher, Lily Tomlin,
Genre: Drama, Light Comedy
Length: 117 minutes
In 1935 in Florence Italy, a group of well-to-do elderly British women, conduct their life around things that they feel is important...art, civility and tea. They've made Florence their home and relish in the art of the ancient city. The Italians have nick named this group the Scorpioni...and they are stubborn. Along comes two boisterous Americans...Elsa a rich, flashy Broadway performer (played by Cher) and a no nonsense lesbian archeologist (played by Lily Tomlin.)
When WWII looms on the horizon their position in the community is threatened by Mussolini's 'black shirts'. Despite being told to leave the country, as they are now enemies of the state, the women stubbornly refuse. Instead they take their complaints to Mussolini himself, putting trust in the dictator to keep his word that they will be safe in Italy.
I liked this film. It wasn't overly serious, in fact sometimes it had a light wit about it. At times it did feel more like a tense drama but when Cher and especially Lily Tomlin were in the scenes it took on a light feel. Which isn't bad as it makes the film very watchable.
I enjoyed the British cast of veteran actors (Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright) and Cher was good in this too. This is based on an actual event and the screen writer of this movie was actually part of this story. I won't tell you which character he was, you'll just have to watch the movie to find out.
Tea with Mussolini,Is a nice film, with nice settings and was a joint venture between British and Italian film makers. It offers a little of something for everyone.
.