Ladies in Lavender.

Name: Ladies in Lavender.
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Music
Released: April 29, 2005
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 61

2005

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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Ladies In Lavender

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: April 29, 2005 | PG-13

Summary: The dull lives of two elderly sisters on the coast of Cornwall are interrupted by a shipwrecked Polish sailor who rekindles old sibling rivalries, jealousies and unfulfilled dreams. (Roadside Attractions)

Director: Charles Dance

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Romance, Music

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

William Arnold

This is the most impressive directing debut by a "name" British actor in a long, long time. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

The film is old-fashioned because it exists. No one, to use an ever-dubious line, makes films like this anymore. Read full review

Marc Mohan

For his directorial debut, British actor Charles Dance tackles such familiar English themes as repressed desire and an arm's-length fascination with foreigners. Luckily for the slight story, he has recruited two of the most effortlessly brilliant grande dames of British film. Read full review

J.R. Jones

This movie will hardly set the world on fire, but it's a worthy vehicle for the two old troopers; Smith has the stiffest upper lip in the business, and Dench is heartrending as the naive, lovelorn sister. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Ultimately, Dance is unable to connect the many threads of his rather flimsy script, leading to an abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying conclusion. But the journey is worth taking, thanks to the company of its stars. Read full review

Tasha Robinson

It's important to go in knowing the central secret of the movie: Nothing exciting is going to happen. Ever. Armed with that knowledge, viewers should be able to settle down and enjoy the extremely low-key, melancholy character study that plays out between a handful of excellent actors. Read full review

Scott Foundas

Ladies in Lavender oscillates between scenes so relentlessly nice they make you want to scream and others - particularly those depicting the crush Dench develops on her new housemate - creepier than anything in "The Amityville Horror." Read full review

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User Reviews

TECfilms

Nov 1, 2012

Great performances of both the two "Grandes Dames" of acting, Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench, and German newcomer Daniel Brühl and Star-Trek-star David Warner. A musical drama film with great emotions and music, some lacks in story but outstanding performances of the actors.

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cherylc.

Dec 10, 2005

Where to begin... The acting by two all-time greats; the remote haven, out of time, between the great wars, full of characters Dickens might have concocted; the music; the yearning. No, they don't make pictures like this anymore. Actually, they never did. But it's possible to Where to begin... The acting by two all-time greats; the remote haven, out of time, between the great wars, full of characters Dickens might have concocted; the music; the yearning. No, they don't make pictures like this anymore. Actually, they never did. But it's possible to imagine that people lived lives like these, and those are so far removed from today they are priceless. Simply lovely.… Expand

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SaleriaJ.

Feb 2, 2007

A lovely, charming film with exceptional acting. It's meant to be a fairy tale and not analyzed to death. Just a wonderful, heartwarming confection. Dame Judi, once again, proves she's one of the greatest living actors of our day.

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MichaelP.

Dec 4, 2006

I'd have to agree with most of the positive reviews...with one exception. There was a hole in the plot larger than the colossal multiplex screen on which I saw this film. Namely, the teenage boy seems to come from nowhere, apparently with zero background, family, or any other history. I'd have to agree with most of the positive reviews...with one exception. There was a hole in the plot larger than the colossal multiplex screen on which I saw this film. Namely, the teenage boy seems to come from nowhere, apparently with zero background, family, or any other history. Furthermore, neither of the sisters is remotely interested in where he comes from or where he was going or are concerned that his family might be sick with worry about his whereabouts and safety--apparently, just learning that he is Polish satisfies them in all such matters (oddly). There is no concern about the wrecked ship that he supposedly came from, no concern about the fate of the other passengers--nothing. In short, these characters do not behave in a realistic way. It bugged me for the first half of the film, and I heard other people in the audience complaining about it when I left the theater. I'm all for artsy films that explore elements of human nature that are rarely touched upon (like an older woman falling madly in love with a boy young enough to be her grandson--very well done here), but I believe that it's still possible to stick to the basics of good storytelling when making this kind of film. Without the fatal flaw--which, sadly, would have been easy to fix in the script--I would have given the film a high score.… Expand

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