Actor(s): Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Cher, Lily Tomlin
Director(s): Franco Zeffirelli
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
Binding: DVD
Brand: CHER
Language(s): English, French
EAN: 9786305600978
ISBN: 0792843002
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Description
In filming this semi-autobiographical account of life in Italy during the dawn of World War II, director Franco Zeffirelli imbues Tea with Mussolini with the mixed blessings of fond reminiscence. It's a warmly inviting film, as impeccable as any Merchant-Ivory production, but like a hazy memory it's uncertain in its narrative intentions. And yet with an exceptional cast to compensate, the film's as engaging as it is inconsequential.
Zeffirelli's alter ego is Luca (Charlie Lucas in youth; Baird Wallace as a teenager), who is raised in Florence by Mary (Joan Plowright), the middle-aged secretary of his absentee father. Luca lives among a loose band of British and American women, nicknamed "Il Scorpioni" for their stinging wit in the shadows of Mussolini's thuggish dictatorship. Along with Mary there's Hester (Maggie Smith), a crusty ambassador's widow; Arabella (Judi Dench), a lively bohemian; lesbian archaeologist Georgie (Lily Tomlin); and Elsa (Cher), a flamboyant American who quietly finances Luca's education.
Il Scorpioni witness the rise of fascism and the dangers of resistance, weathering dictatorial custody and (in Elsa's case) falling prey to heartbreaking betrayal. But Tea with Mussolini carries little dramatic weight; you have to forgive its unfocused structure to appreciate its merits. Zeffirelli gently conveys the passage from pleasantry to wartime, and he's drawn uniformly fine performances from this seasoned cast. If the film is vaguely unsatisfying, it's only because it had the makings of greatness and settles instead for an ethereal quality of anecdotal enchantment. --Jeff Shannon
Florence, Italy, on the brink of WWII: it was a time of social unrest and, of course...afternoon tea. Join Oscar‚(r) winner* Cher and an incredible cast of leading ladies as they host this "radiant, beautiful film" (Gene Shalit, "Today Show") that is "worth savoring" (Mademoiselle).Prewar Florence is the place to be for any proper British woman who relishes culture and the arts. These ladies have everything they could ever want or needincluding a promise from dictator Mussolini himself that not even the imminent world war will impose upon their lifestyle. But when itappears that his word is not kept, and these expatriateswho chose to stay in Italy instead of seeking refuge in their own countryare in trouble, it takes a young outcast boy and a brazen American woman (Cher) to keep them in the high life and out of harm's way.
Tea with Mussolini takes place in Florence Italy near the beginning of WWII, basically the interaction of five women from different facets of life and their interactions with each other, from a society snob to a big hearted secretary who takes upon herself an unwanted child whom grows up to be with the resistance and a hero of sorts later on and not to leave out a brazen American woman who keeps them in the high life and out of harms way. These five women Cher (Rich American), Judi Dench (an art conservationist), Joan Plowright (big hearted secretary), Maggie Smith (Snobbish British Elite) and Lilly Tomlin (a no nonsense Lesbian) play off each other like poetry in motion. Assertive women that decide to stand their ground and defend their beliefs instead of running back to their countries for refuge. It's a script and story line that's filled with laughter, sadness, betrayal and comradeship. An unforgettable cast with a great screenplay and good director turned out a most excellent movie.
"Tea With Mussolini"
Written By: Mr. Roanld J. Fourtner
Great Cast and wonderful movie. It has everything one would look for in a first class production. Judi Dench, Cher, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright, Lily Tomlin and lots of drama make this a definite period piece dvd to add to your collection.
"Tea With Mussolini"
Written By: Marilyn Clemenza
Thought it was great! Loved everyone in the cast. Will watch it again. [Probably a lot over time.]
"Excellent Drama!"
Written By: C. Alford
A women's group of expatriates living in Italy get caught up in the events leading up to World War II.
"About as much fun as a war can be?"
Written By: R. Bagula
After having read about B24 and P47 bombing raids on Italy, we should be happy any of the old buildings made it through the war? Here we have a story about a young fellow whose guardian was an English old Maid in Italy and whose father had other interests with a second wife and a second mistress. We have the upper class British (and some Americans) expatriates in Florence who became prisoners after war was declared in 1940, living in an upscale prison camp. The German presence in Italy thankfully lasted a relatively short time, but this movie never really touches on the real war, but only the story of the old English ladies and their hardships. Making war on old ladies is some kind of sin? The movies is fun and I liked it.
"An Unforgettable Cast"
"Tea With Mussolini"
"About as much fun as a war can be?"