Summer's Lease
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Movie Reviews of Summer's Lease
Movie Review: A Fine Mystery For Anglophiles And Italophiles
Summary: 5 Stars
Summer's Lease is a nicely done mystery series produced in the 1980s by the writer/playwright John Mortimer based on his novel of the same name. Mollie Pargeter is a forty-something London housewife who rents an Italian villa for the summer holidays. Neither her barrister husband (who is conducting a semi-respectable flirtation with a former client) nor her three daughters are very enthusiastic, but Mollie insists and they all wind up in Tuscany at the Villa "La Felicita," along with Mollie's father Haverford Downs, an ancient roue who writes a column for a magazine.
Immediately mysteries crop up. A host of eccentric characters appear, all of them cagey about the whereabouts of the owners of the villa, who are nowhere in evidence beyond some odd instructions, pictures, and lists. The water supply is shut off and the swimming pool become a murder site. And what is the significance of all the references to Piero della Francesca, especially his painting of "The Flagellation?" Mollie is fascinated by it all, and stoked by her rereading of Sherlock Holmes' "The Copper Beeches," begins to investigate. Eventually she discovers the truth, not just about "La Felicita" but about herself and her marriage as well.
The mystery is complex and takes some time to unwind, and in typical British fashion much is left for one to ponder and work out on one's own. The scenery is gorgeous (especially the scenes of the Palio in Siena) and most of the characters appealing, and the outcome, while sad and somewhat equivocal, is satisfying and leaves one happy for Mollie.
Movie Review: Not American-style characters
Summary: 5 Stars
I taped this Masterpiece Theatre mystery/comedy/drama when it first appeared on PBS some years ago, and I view it again every year or so. It is a pleasure to watch Sir John Gielgud work even though, as mentioned by another reviewer, he was not up to his best in old age. (Another example of a remarkable performance by an aged actor is that of Sir Lawrence Olivier in "The Ebony Tower," adapted from the novel by John Fowles.)
In other reviews, Susan Fleetwood's characterization of Molly Pargeter comes in for some harsh criticism. She is seen to be "irritating" and "stupid." The only fault I see is that Molly is not a typical American-style heroine. She is a good-hearted woman whose dreamy demeanor is a defense against her charming but bullying father, her silly, ineffectual husband and her intelligent, somewhat boisterous children. Molly's interior life interests her more than her real life; thus her determination to ferret out the myterious owner of the family's rented villa by following clues along the Piero della Francesca "trail."
Summer's Lease is good fun for those who do not expect a high-powered, predictable mystery with a neatly wrapped ending but are happy to settle for quirky British characters in a lovely Tuscan setting. As a bonus, they'll receive a smattering of Italian art and regional customs.
Movie Review: Absolutely Delightful
Summary: 5 Stars
Summer's Lease is delightful in every way. John Gielgud definitely deserved the Emmy he won for this. He is charming and hilarious. He is obviously having the time of his life. You will, too. A great trip to Italy with a bit of mystery thrown in for good measure.
BEWARE: If you are a prude which unfortunately many of my fellow Americans most definitely are, avoid this wonderful series. The children in this series actually know about sex! Gasp! The adults even talk about sexual matters around their children! Gasp! A husband and wife actually have sex with each other! Gasp! An elderly man is still interested in sex and talks about it incessantly! Gasp! Please do not pass out just thinking about those things! It is okay! Breathe slowly and the blood will return to your head! There you go. Good. Shh now. It is going to be okay.
BEWARE: If you need everything explained to you in detail in order to understand and follow a story, especially one with a touch of mystery in it, avoid this wonderful series.
Movie Review: THE BEST!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember this mini-series on Masterpiece Theatre when it was shown in 1989. I loved the scenery (Italy/Tuscany) the terra cotta planter, the beautiful Tuscan architecture. Plus Sir John Gielgud was terrific as the "libidnous father" who weasles an invite to come along with the family. There's a plot, and of course, there's art: Piero della Francesco Renaissance artist, actually photographed in situ, and an almost documentary depiction of the Palia in Sienna. I studied in Tuscany some years later, and when I went to the town square in Sienna, I knew I'd seen it before (site of the Pallia). The dialogue is absolutely masterful at times. The author is the same as the one that wrote "Rumpole of the Bailey". (Sorry Senior moment--can't remember it--John Somebody.) The father/Gielgud at one time exclaims, "Oh! This coffee is as cold as chastity!."
I invited several of my girlfriends over to view this (yeah, it's a bonafide chick flick!!). We had vodka and caviar and then a cookout. Don't miss it!
Movie Review: That Tuscan Mystery Magic
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this drama starring Sir John and the wonderful Susan Fleetwood in 1990. I,ve recently purchased the same on DVD from Amazon. Fabulous capturing of the intense love affair of the English for this jewel of Europe.What a wonderfully crafted, intelligent and intiguing plot line, acted to aplomb by all the cast of a Tuscan holiday with more twists than Dickens!
I delighted in all the scenes, especially the families enjoyment of the Palio race by virtue of Sir Johns (the fathers) huge deception of the good humoured
dentist of Sienna. The views of Tuscany were breathtaking and the interest of the viewer kept on a knife edge. If nothing else the Jottings From Tuscany" by Sir John playng Haverford Downs a Rogue with wit and charm are a delight to the ear and I'd doubt Shakespeare had a Nimbler touch of his quill! Wonderful, and a must to see and treasure.
Mike Atkinson