Ladies in Lavender (2005)
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63% of critics liked it
(89 reviews) -
64% of users liked it
(7,844 ratings)
Two sisters engage in a subtle war for the affections of a man half their age in this British comedy drama. It's 1936, and Janet Widdington (Maggie Smith) and her sister, Ursula (Judi Dench), are a pair of elderly spinsters who share a home in Cornwall on the coast of England. After a storm, the… More Two sisters engage in a subtle war for the affections of a man half their age in this British comedy drama. It's 1936, and Janet Widdington (Maggie Smith) and her sister, Ursula (Judi Dench), are a pair of elderly spinsters who share a home in Cornwall on the coast of England. After a storm, the sisters discover that someone has been washed up on the beach in front of their house. Bringing the body inside, they discover the victim is a handsome Polish man named Andrea Marowski (Daniel Brühl) who has suffered a broken ankle and speaks no English, only Polish and German. As the sisters patch up Andrea's ankle, Janet dusts off her old German textbook from school, and begins getting to know more about their guest. It isn't long before Janet develops an infatuation for the good-looking stranger, and attempts to teach him English, which is more than a bit maddening to Ursula, who has fallen head over heels for him -- especially after the sisters discover he's a gifted violinist and hear him display his craft on a borrowed instrument. As the sisters find themselves vying for Andrea's attention, they wonder if they should report his presence to the authorities, especially after Olga (Natascha McElhone), an attractive woman in her early thirties who lives nearby, becomes aware of Andrea's presence in the home and wants to make contact with him. Based on a short story by William J. Locke, Ladies in Lavender marked the directorial debut of actor Charles Dance. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Charles Dance
- Written By
- William J. Locke, Charles Dance
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Apr 29, 2005 Limited
- On DVD
- Dec 6, 2005
- Studio
- IDP
Critic Reviews
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's a British period piece, full of the sylvan Cornish coast and countryside, vintage motorcars, steam threshers and sensibilities. Pity they left out a compelling plot.
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Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A fascinating and involving chamber piece for two superb actresses.
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Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
A wistful little thing about regret, jealousy and love.
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Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Under Dance's sure hand, and the even surer performances of Smith and Dench, who know that underplaying an emotion often increases its punch, the film is a small study in the dignity of letting go.
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Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
A funny, civilized little romantic drama in which Smith co-stars with the equally estimable Judi Dench.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Judi Dench
as Ursula
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Maggie Smith
as Janet
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Daniel Brühl
as Andrea Marowski
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Miriam Margolyes
as Dorcas
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Natascha McElhone
as Olga
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David Warner
as Dr. Mead
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Timothy Bateson
as Mr. Hallett
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Geoffrey Bayldon
as Mr. Penhaligan
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Roger Booth
as Arthur
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Peter Cellier
as BBC Announcer
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Alan Cox
as Obsequious Man
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Joanna Dickens
as Mrs. Pendered
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Freddie Jones
as Jan Pendered
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Clive Russell
as Adam Penruddocke
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Jimmy Yuill
as Constable Timmins
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Trevor Ray
as Very Old Man 1
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Ian Marshall de Garnier
as Fisherman
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Toby Jones
as Hedley
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Finty Williams
as Pretty Local Girl
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Gregor Henderson-Begg
as Luke Pendered
- Jack Callow
- Tom Clarke Hill
- Scott Hinds
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Joshua Bell
as Violin
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Richard Pears
as Barry
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John Boswell
as Very Old Man 2
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Rebecca Hulbert
as Fiance
- Richard Pearson
- Daniel Bruhl




