The Villa (film)

Movie
German title	The Villa
Original title	Up at the villa
Country of production	USA , UK
original language	English
Publishing year	2000
length	115 minutes
Age rating	FSK 12
Rod
Director	Philip Haas
script	Belinda Haas
production	Geoff bull ; David Brown
music	Pino Donaggio
camera	Maurizio Calvesi
cut	Belinda Haas
occupation
	Kristin Scott Thomas : Mary Panton; Sean Penn : Rowley Flint; Anne Bancroft : Princess San Ferdinando; James Fox : Sir Edgar Swift; Jeremy Davies : Karl Richter; Derek Jacobi : Lucky Leadbetter; Massimo Ghini : Policeman Leonardi; Lorenza Indovina : Nina;

The Villa is a love drama directed by Philip Haas from 2000. Belinda Haas wrote the script based on the novel Up at the Villa by William Somerset Maugham , which was published in 1941.

action

The young, attractive widow Mary Panton lives in Florence in 1938, shortly before the start of the Second World War . She finds distraction through the many social evenings of her friend Princess San Ferdinando. Many a man succumbs to her charms: first there is Sir Edgar Swift, future Governor of Bengal. When this is available due to a business trip lasting several days, she is assigned the married playboy Rowley Flint as a table neighbor. This also makes her clear advances. She only gives in to the Austrian day laborer Karl and spends a night with him. When she admits that she has no love for him, he shoots herself with her pistol. In desperation, she calls on Rowley Flint for help. There is no way Mary wants to inform the police. As a foreigner, she is under special observation by the military during the times of fascism and runs the risk of being deported for the slightest misconduct. Together with Rowley, she moves Karl's body to a remote place in the great outdoors. Rowley takes the firearm to have it professionally cleaned to remove traces. Unfortunately, the police found the gun on him during a routine check. Rowley is imprisoned and tortured, but because of his persistent silence, Mary remains unmolested. Mary manages to buy Rowley out.

The next evening Edgar returns from his trip, expecting Mary to accept his proposal. She intended to do so, despite dispassionate affection. Before that, however, she felt a need to ease her conscience and so she fully informs Edgar about the nerve-wracking incident during his absence. Despite the circumstances, Edgar sees no reason for a separation, but changes his plans to no longer strive for high office. Mary can't stand the thought of standing in the way of her future husband's career and suggests a separation. Edgar Swift leaves disappointed. A few days later, Mary also leaves the rented villa and travels to her home in London. On the train she meets Rowley again, who is on his way to Paris. She makes him clear advances.

Background information

Apennines from Giambologna

Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, Florence

The film was shot on original locations in Tuscany . a. in the park of the Villa Medici of Pratolino . The 10 m high sculpture The Apennines by the sculptor Giambologna served as a backdrop in two scenes. The basilica of San Miniato al Monte in the south of Florence was also used for a scene.

The film was released in UK cinemas on April 14, 2000. It was never shown in German cinemas:

"In Germany the theatrical release of 'Die Villa' was postponed several times at short notice before the decision was finally made to 'only' publish the film on video."

- Frank Ehrlacher

Reviews

“The star-studded adaptation lacks life, esprit and satire. In addition, she serves us subplots that are not in the book. "

- TV feature film

"The film tries too hard and superficially to put political set pieces into the picture in order to underpin the behavior of the protagonists."

- Lexicon of International Films

“The first lesson is quite tense and is limited to drawing a picture of the society at that time and especially the 'high society'. No wonder that British actors are also trusted, who have more practice in literary adaptations than the Hollywood stars. They all seem professional, but a bit too smooth to allow true emotions to arise towards the end. "

- Frank Ehrlacher