Ladies in Lavender poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Brühl, Miriam Margolyes, Natascha McElhone ... see more see more... , David Warner , Timothy Bateson , Geoffrey Bayldon , Roger Booth , Peter Cellier , Alan Cox , Joanna Dickens , Freddie Jones , Clive Russell , Jimmy Yuill , Trevor Ray , Ian Marshall de Garnier , Toby Jones , Finty Williams , Gregor Henderson-Begg , Jack Callow , Tom Clarke Hill , Scott Hinds , Joshua Bell , Richard Pears , John Boswell , Rebecca Hulbert , Richard Pearson

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 pa... read more read more...ir 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

Flixster Users

64% liked it

7,688 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

89 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Charles Dance

Release Date: April 29, 2005

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: December 6, 2005

Stats: 547 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Ladies in Lavender Ladies in Lavender Ladies in Lavender Ladies in Lavender Ladies in Lavender
Upload a Photo | View All Ladies in Lavender Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (547)

  • SirPant
    December 1, 2010
    SirPant
    Ladies in Lavender is a gentle and pleasant film, full of good nature and subtlety. Although it may not blow you away, the performances by Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are exquisite. You could be fooled into thinking you were watching a couple of 18 year old girls, that is how con... read morevincing their performances are. Charles Dance's direction is good but the constant slow-motion technique did get on my nerves somewhat and it is a little detrimental to the actor's performances and the pace of the film I feel. Still, a pleasant viewing experience. Why not watch it with your Mum on a Sunday afternoon?
  • blacksheepboy
    August 29, 2010
    blacksheepboy
    It doesn't take us any effort to understand the genuine fascination caused by the mysterious, handsome young man played by Daniel Brühl, but one should only watch this unremarkable British drama for the superb performances by Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.
  • smith44
    February 5, 2010
    smith44
    Lavender Ladies Lose Their Way. Aesthetically pleasing without much content. Although the story is good and told beautifully it lacks drama.
  • Redlats
    November 18, 2007
    Redlats
    Two grand old English ladies find a Polish kid washed up on their beach. They nurse Andrea back to life, and find out he is an accomplished violinist. I enjoy this sort of movie where the characters have to make difficult decisions.
  • gator681
    October 15, 2006
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"Ladies in Lavender" takes place in 1930's on the English coast where sisters Ursula(Judi Dench) and Janet(Maggie Smith) Widdington enjoy their quiet lives together until one day a young man(Daniel Bruhl) washes up on shore almost on their doorstep. Luckily, ... read morehe is still alive, having apparently survived a shipwreck. Dr. Mead(David Warner) diagnoses the young man as having nothing more serious than a broken ankle. So, he is left to recuperate in the sisters' home. And as he gets better, they find that he speaks no English, comes from Poland and that his name is Andrea...[/font]

    [font=Century Gothic]"Ladies in Lavender" is a sweet, nice, gentle movie about life in a bucolic setting but its straightforwardness is both a blessing and a curse for it does make the resolution extremely hard to take.(And two of the characters do not behave in a very credible way, either.) In a way, the film plays off the perceptions of the characters versus the viewer's preconceptions of what may happen. Overall, the movie is a testament to the impossibility of making a bad movie with both Judi Dench and Maggie Smith starring in it. And Natascha McElhone(should ditch the accents, though) and David Warner are good in support. [/font]
  • merlynsprankling
    December 25, 2011
    merlynsprankling
    Excellent performances by the two Dames and Miriam Margolyes was hilarious as always. Every part she plays she seems to fit into perfectly. Anyone who ever had elderly aunts living together would see them reincarnated as Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. The interplay of the sisters'... read more (Dench and Smith) personalities both within their household and with village characters and with their housekeeper was beautifully portrayed. It's true that some events are never explained fully, but I thought there was considerable psychological depth to the film.

    'Ladies in Lavender', stars two stalwarts of British stage and screen, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. They play sisters, Janet and Ursula, who live in a house on the cliffs in Cornwall. One night during a storm they discover a young man washed up on the beach below.

    Ensconced in their spare room, speaking no English, with a broken ankle he's the most exciting thing to happen in the women's lives in decades and Ursula develops a crush on him.

    Andrea who's played by Daniel Bruehl of Goodbye Lenin fame turns out to be a talented musician, stirring the interest of a German artist Olga (Natasha McElhone) who's staying nearby.

    The magnificent Cornish scenery should leave no doubt as to why people, artists especially have always been attracted there. The Cornish setting was breathtaking and the music glorious. The acting, the late 30's household setting, the village details, the music make this a superb story. This is not a film for teenagers. The emotional tenor of this film is absolutely haunting and exactly right for anyone of a certain maturity.

    It's a movie that explored in a subtle way themes of loss, love, ageing and that portrayed life and community from a bygone era. It's a very poignant and moving film. The flick gives a very lovely and sad insight into one woman's unfullfilled dreams of love and her grief. It was a delicate study about the denial of love which the two dames carried off superbly.

    The strength of this film was what was left unsaid -- there was enough given away to make one think about the deep emotions running just below the surface. Albeit the story has some holes in it, and is a bit cheesy at times but what is going on internally for Usrula (Dench) is protrayed subtely yet powerfully enough to carry the film.
  • SunilJawahir
    March 4, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    Judi Dench has never been so adorable and lovable.
  • weelee18
    December 28, 2008
    weelee18
    good movie..
  • catlyst
    May 16, 2012
    catlyst
    great acting from the "sisters of mercy", their maid and the doctor. this movie contrasts the accommodation, insecurities and naivete of the old gals against the bright talent, youthful energy and self-advancing agendas of the young foreign couple. a social commentary of sorts, w... read moreith lots of great lines from dench & smith.
  • haydenbe
    January 21, 2012
    haydenbe
    A decidedly simple quiet drama. But thanks to the considerable talent of both Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. They manage to elevate it.

View All Ladies in Lavender Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
July 8, 2005
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. Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
June 4, 2005
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A fascinating and involving chamber piece for two superb actresses. Full Review

Steven Rea
June 2, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A wistful little thing about regret, jealousy and love.

Michael O'Sullivan
May 27, 2005
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. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
May 27, 2005
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

A funny, civilized little romantic drama in which Smith co-stars with the equally estimable Judi Dench. Full Review

Susan Walker
May 27, 2005
Susan Walker, Toronto Star

As long as Dench or Smith is on the screen there's plenty to absorb one's interest. Full Review

Jennie Punter
May 27, 2005
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

Pastel-light but highly pleasurable. Full Review

Ty Burr
May 27, 2005
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Not even the skills of Dames Smith and Judi Dench can make this tea strong enough to swallow. Full Review

Richard Nilsen
May 26, 2005
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic

The kind of Masterpiece Theater-type film that does its level best to bland us into a pleasant slumber. Full Review

Ruthe Stein
May 13, 2005
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

There are two royal reasons to see the film -- Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith, both over 70 and still very much in their prime. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Wrestling Ernest Hemingway
    Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (0%)
  • Tea With Mussolini
    Tea With Mussolini (67%)
  • Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
    Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (100%)
  • Swept From The Sea
    Swept From The Sea (75%)

More Movies like Ladies in Lavender

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Ladies in Lavende... : Watch Free on TV

Ladies in Lavender Trivia

  • Maggie Smith links which movies  Answer »
  • Which actor is in: Mrs Henderson Presents Ladies In Lavender Casino Royale Mrs Brown Shakespeare In Love Tea With Mussolini   Answer »
  • What actress appeared in these films : Chocolat, Die Another Day, Pride & Prejudice (2005} Ladies In Lavender, The Chronicles Of Rodderick ?  Answer »
  • She starred in A Room with a View, Ladies in Lavender and Gosford Park. Who is she?  Answer »
More Ladies in Lavender Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Ladies in Lavender. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Ladies in Lavender Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Ladies in Lavender to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?