Enchanted April

Play trailer

Enchanted April

PG

1991

1h 33m

Romance

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

When married British women Rose Arbuthnot (Miranda Richardson) and Lottie Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) decide to take a break from their respective spouses, they stay at a castle in Italy for a quiet holiday. Joining the ladies is Caroline Dester (Polly Walker), a young socialite, and Mrs. Fisher (Joan Plowright), an older aristocrat. Liberated from their daily routines, the four women ease into life in rural Italy, and each finds herself transformed by the experience.

Critics Consensus

Mike Newell's adaptation of Elizabeth von Arnim's moves at a more generous pace than the 1935 version, allowing excellent performances from Miranda Richardson and Joan Plowright to flourish.

Read Critics Reviews

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

01/11/2023

3/4

The film builds with ease and quiet confidence into something lovely.

Go to Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

05/27/2011

In a raucous movie summer, this is a film for those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine, and a recollection of a time when women and movies could be purveyors of enchantment.

Go to Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

07/06/2010

Strong cast's reliable playing is undercut by a script that dawdles over well-trod territory.

Go to Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

12/30/2019

3/5

If you're considering marriage counseling, watch "Enchanted April." Instead of blaming your spouse, embrace the fact that your annoyance comes from you being reflected back to yourself. We can only change ourselves.

Go to Full Review

Owen McNally

Hartford Courant

01/28/2019

What makes the magic work for the viewer is the exceptional individual performances as well as the fine ensemble efforts that director Mike Newell has orchestrated so beautifully.

Go to Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Cater

Saporta Report (Atlanta)

07/07/2017

A small sun-dappled pleasure of a film.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Elaine C

@elaine_yr_c Apr 2

This is like The Breakfast Club but with adults and set during post-war. Four, disillusioned women come together to enjoy a vacation in Italy and leave with a newfound hope in love. I'm a sucker for coming-of-age stories and I liked how every character in here is unique. The pittoresque setting and the romantic soundtrack, as well as a touch of Shakespearean irony, complete the enjoyable experience. Half a star docked only because the resolution just... happens. I loved the old writer lady the most.

See more

David F

@DWMF54 Jan 16

Wait for the scene in which Alfred Molina is taking a bath and the boiler blows up. Funniest thing I've seen in years.

See more

Carol E

@RT29181726 Aug 5

This has long been our family’s go to film when we need cheering up. Funny, warm hearted and beautifully filmed, with great actors and a stunning setting. Leaves you feeling uplifted.

See more

Alec B

@Alec97 02/21/2024

The best thing here is how the movie completely understands the fantasy of renting an Italian villa to escape and reset one's life. The ending is a little silly but the cast sells the hell out of it.

See more

Caroline C

@RT28327068 07/05/2023

Between the World Wars, a handful of English women and men converge in Italy for the wisteria and sunshine there one April. The gentle beauty of this film and its characters' appeal have us, in our house, forever calling Alfred Molina "Mellersh", no matter how many bigger roles he might play.

See more

Massoud H

@Massoud 12/30/2022

I feel so happy and spiritually healthier each of the (many, *many*) times I have seen this movie.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Mike Newell

Director

Miranda Richardson

Rose Arbuthnot

Joan Plowright

Mrs. Fisher

Alfred Molina

Mellersh Wilkins

Josie Lawrence

Lottie Wilkins

Polly Walker

Caroline Dester

Crossing Delancey

82%

77%

Crossing Delancey

Watchlist

Switching Channels

60%

32%

Switching Channels

Watchlist

Her Alibi

17%

45%

Her Alibi

Watchlist

Sabrina

60%

64%

Sabrina

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Sabrina

Straight Talk

46%

58%

Straight Talk

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When married British women Rose Arbuthnot (Miranda Richardson) and Lottie Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) decide to take a break from their respective spouses, they stay at a castle in Italy for a quiet holiday. Joining the ladies is Caroline Dester (Polly Walker), a young socialite, and Mrs. Fisher (Joan Plowright), an older aristocrat. Liberated from their daily routines, the four women ease into life in rural Italy, and each finds herself transformed by the experience.

Director: Mike Newell
Producer: Ann Scott
Screenwriter: Peter Barnes
Distributor: Miramax Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.8M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now