TestaRossa

Matthew Spender's Within Tuscany was interesting. He is the person they kind of based the sculptor in Stealing Beauty on - it was his sculptures they used. Gommora.....Indie might have one she can pass onto you...

PAT M

There is a charming film called Enchanted April set just after WW1, which I really enjoy watching at least once a year, it stars Miranda Richardson, Josie Lawrence, Alfred Molina, Joan Plowright and Jim Broadbent, anyone else seen it? These people come together in a villa in Italy for a holiday and it changes them all for the better.

Anderson Council

Yeah, Enchanted April's lovely. Have you ever seen Tea With Mussolini? It has a similar-ish vibe (Joan Plowright, pre-war Italy). Very nice, tis.

PAT M

Tea with Mussolini, no I don't think I have, will look out for it, thanks. Great actress Joan Plowright.

Anderson Council

She sure is. And in Tea With Mussolini she's in formidable company- it also stars Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.

Lorna at Vicenza

One of my Italian friends has recommended that film to me several times but I still haven't seen it.

He also told me to watch (not an Italian film though) L'Erba di Grace which I believe is called Saving Grace in English.

dina1965

I've seen it more than once ... it's english humour at it's best. Penniless widow in a small English village, great at gardening, starts growing high quality marijuana to save her house from being repossessed.

There's also another film which is similar as far as humour is concerned, that I've seen more than once, I can't remember the title though, about two undertakers in the same village who fight over who provides a better service for their customers ...

"plots with a view"

Patty

You have to see this Lorna - its really funny

Lorna at Vicenza

I'll try and get it then.

37100

Had crying with laughter. I've lent it to someone and like many books, hasn't been returned or I'd send it on to you Lorna - I'm sure you'd return it.

Lorna at Vicenza

I would.
I love my books but I didn't realise how much until several of mine were unreturned - and some films.

I'm quite happy to lend, but certain people have lost their lending privaledges at my house.

indiebird

oh God yeah!! I'm still struggling (i.e. it's on the bedside table whilst I read everything else I've got) with Vanilla Beans in Brodo after having it for an age... it's alright just hard work.....

angeli

Like you have read some of Vanilla Beans and Brodo but keep falling asleep. Havn'r read this thread before but have you read 'The Italians' by Luigi Barzini, not a novel but good insight into how and why they tick...Give me Alexander McCall Smith anyday, reading The Comfort of Saturdays, did 80 pages in airport

Anderson Council

Yeah, i read The italians. Intersting. There's a bit in it where he praises French food, saying that while Italian food is good in its simplicity, French food is an art. I've yet to find an Italian who'd agree with him on that!

angeli

Yeah, too true. I liked the bit that said an Italian only had to turn up for work, pu his coat on the hook and go off and do one of his other jobs...tee hee