1999
103 minutes
In 1920s Ireland, an elderly couple reside over a tired country estate. Living with them are their high-spirited niece, their Oxford student nephew, and married house guests, who are trying to cover up that they are presently homeless. The niece enjoys romantic frolics with a soldier and a hidden guerrilla fighter. All of the principals are thrown into turmoil when one more guest arrives with considerable wit and unwanted advice.
Keeley Hawes is gorgeous as the innocent Lois. A very British film of the struggles with Ireland amongst the British-Irish. The end of an era. The end of innocence. Fiona Shaw as Marda is just the right mix of nostalgia, irony, and manipulation. A fading beauty ready to settle for less than she expected; this visit her last remaining bit of romantic possibility.
Cinematographer Slawomir Idziak does an exceedingly fine job of capturing mood, location, era.
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