Starring Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith, Judy Dench, Lily Tomlin and Cher, this movie tickles the fancy from first hearing. It is well acted, based on a true story (watch out for the lines at the end giving the potted histories of the characters after the time of the end of the movie), with a decent plot and some lovely scenery. The characters are, it need hardly be said, developed beautifully. (Lily Tomlin's character is less relevant and more frivolous, but she has fun playing the dyke archaeologist.)
The above said, this is a lovely movie, but one of those gentle pieces which is memorable for the warmth if not the brilliance. Set in Italy before and during the war and liberation of the 1930s and 1940s, it centers around a group of English women who genuinely love the place, and who do not want to leave when things turn sour, and their interaction with a rich and kind but dizzy American, and an Italian boy who alternately is taken care of by them, and who takes care of them in turn. It has some passion, some foolishness, a much compassion, love and respect. If it has a theme, it is on the nature of what constitutes worthwhile love for another person.
To be recommended, but not with the intensity of Gattaca, or the respect for craftsmanship of Shakespeare in Love. I give it 8/10.