Enchanted April

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Enchanted April

PG

1991

1h 33m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

84%

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.

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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.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Jan 11, 2023

3/4

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

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

May 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.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Jul 6, 2010

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

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

Dec 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.

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Owen McNally

Hartford Courant

Jan 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.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Saporta Report (Atlanta)

Jul 7, 2017

A small sun-dappled pleasure of a film.

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Jun 20, 2026

Lorna said several times "I love that movie" and also "It makes me happy" and "Major Chick Flick"

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Elaine C

@elaine_yr_c Apr 2, 2026

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.

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David F

@DWMF54 Jan 16, 2026

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

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Carol E

@RT29181726 Aug 5, 2025

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.

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Alec B

@Alec97 Feb 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.

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Caroline C

@RT28327068 Jul 5, 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.

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Mike Newell

Director

Miranda Richardson

Rose Arbuthnot

Joan Plowright

Mrs. Fisher

Alfred Molina

Mellersh Wilkins

Josie Lawrence

Lottie Wilkins

Polly Walker

Caroline Dester

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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
Production Co: Miramax, BBC Film, Greenpoint 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

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