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Ladies in Lavender
: This quiet British film starring two of Britain's most acclaimed actresses, Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, is unabashedly a vehicle for these two leading ladies. Janet (Smith) and Ursula (Dench) are two unmarried sisters living on the coast. When one morning after a storm they discover an unconscious young man (Daniel Bruhl) on the rocky shore, their daily rhythms change as each woman develops a crush on the helpless man. Each vies for his complete attention. When Janet is able to finally communicate with Andrea in German (he is Polish), Ursula becomes consumed with jealousy and compensates by pampering him. Both, however, are pushed aside as it turns out that Andrea is a virtuoso violinist (music played by Joshua Bell), and the entire town in drawn to him. Even worse for the sisters, a beautiful visitor, Olga, discovers him as well, drawing him away from Janet and Ursula, into her own world.
Judi Dench is given more to work with than her co-star, and so comes across as the more complicated woman, but Maggie Smith turns in a fine, reserved performance as the more hard-edged sister. Daniel Bruhl is a little awkward in his role; while Natascha McElrone turn in a more memorable performance, though hardly as commanding as Dench and Smith. The cinematography lends affection to the English countryside and coast, and it highlights the isolation of the small town.
This film is slow-moving and carefully articulated, without much happening beyond what is revealed in the actresses' faces. Without Dench and Smith, it would have no appeal, and so should be seen more for the two stars than for the film itself. 3+ stars.
Ladies in Lavender is the story of two lonely sisters who live in an idyllic setting at a beach house in Cornwall. The ages of Ursula, (Judi Dench) and Janet (Maggie Smith) could have been anywhere from 50 to 65. The story takes place in 1936 and with the old fashion clothing and no make up, it was hard to determine just how old they were. Janet, who appears to be the elder sister, is apparently a widow, while Ursula seems like she has never been married. Not a lot of background information is given about their early lives or how they came to be living in Cornwall.
Their quiet life of gardening and walking the beach changed when they discovered a body lying washed up on the shore one morning. The body is that of a handsome young man (Daniel Bruhl) who turns out to be alive, but unconscious. The young man is taken to their home and a doctor is called. He had an injured foot and needed bed rest. The sisters cared for him and when he is finally able to talk, they found that he did not speak English. After various attempts at communication, they determine that he is Polish and his name is Andrea. When Ursula starts to become overly fond of him, Janet cautions her to be careful of becoming too involved. One of the most poignant parts of this film is seeing Ursula, in the twilight of her life, still yearning for love.
Andrea turns out to be a gifted violinist and the villagers are all enthralled by his talent. Ursula and Janet become very protective of him especially when a somewhat mysterious and beautiful visitor to the village wants to take Andrea to meet a famous Russian violinist who is visiting London.
Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are wonderful British actresses and performed their roles beautifully. They both came across as real people and my only criticism was that I wanted to know more about them and their early lives. I think a few flashbacks would have been helpful in filling out their characters. This film has beautiful scenery and the flavor of the 1930's.
P.S. My husband says this is a "chick flick."
 Probably at old age one lives with a wish of nothing major changing and at the same time with a hope of something little changing.
This is debutante Charles Dances's gentle rendering of two lonesome ageing sisters Ursula(Judi Dench) & Janet Waddington(Maggi Smith)living on Cornish coast in mid 1930s. They're comfortable living pretty much a regular life in each other's company.
Their life calls for a sudden change when they catch sight of a stranger's body by the beach that needed immediate medication because of his dismal condition. This polish stranger Andrea Markowski(Daniel Bruhl)slowly makes way into Waddington Mansion, then to their hospitality and then into their generous hearts. He brings out the sisters' maternal sides where Janet is more composed in display of her feelings, but on other hand lovelorn Ursula is more expressive and sometimes goes overboard in exhibiting her true feelings for this young boy who has his own dreams of becoming a great violinist someday. To achieve his dream he'll have to walk out on these wonderful sisters. It was by the grace of god and the nursing & caring of these two lovely ladies that Andrea got another chance to live in this world. So does he reach his goal with the help of lovely Olga Daniloff(Natascha McElhone) or do the sisters' accept their destiny as it is and let go off him to achieve his dreams??
Amidst the commendable performances by lead ladies and pleasing cinematography and Joshua Bell's lilting violin score,one feels scarse on some real material which is script.The real problem is that nothing much happens in the entire film leaving the viewer with some kind of imprecision.
Maybe of interest for all those who would like to feast on some british heritage vista, others like me might wonder about the
absenteeism of some real content inspite of many promising factors.
 Two elderly ladies (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith) of good standing in the community and of some means find that a storm has washed up a well dressed young man (Daniel Brühl.) They take him in to revive and mend him. During the time he is there he stirs up memories for one lady and loosens unknown passion in the other lady.
It is a short story of his recovery and how he and the community discover each other. Many overlapping themes come into play as a war has just finished and another is brewing. The young stranger says he is Polish and speaks fluent German. It is his talent that will eventually determine his fait.
This is one of those stories that requires watching and rewatching to pick up all the nuances. It will also leave a warm feeling after the wrap-up.
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The person actually playing the violin behind the actor is Joshua Bell who also played the violin for Violon rouge, Le (1998). He tours once in a while so if you are lucky you may get a chance to hear him in person.
Daniel Brühl never played the Violin and had to learn to mime in less than a month.
David Warner plays the local doctor Dr. Mead. He also played a doctor in "Time After Time" (1979).
The DVD has a Featurette: Ladies in Lavender that explains the adaptation form the story to the film.
Charles Dance Writer/director found the story by William J. Locke about two spinsters living in Cornwall. They were in their forties; he changed that to the 70's as the age in the story is negligible.
He also purposely left many questions unanswered because in a fairy tale you just have to have faith.
I have seen it twice, and would go again in a heartbeat.
It is a funny, deep, sexy, movie that pulls your heartstrings.
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