Enchanted April (1991) Review – Finding Refuge in the Sun

 

"To those who appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine..." The escape to San Salvatore. A place where souls bloom.

🎥 Film Overview

Title	Enchanted April
Director	Mike Newell
Screenplay	Peter Barnes (based on the novel The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim)
Genre	Period Drama, Romantic Drama, Healing Film
Release Date	July 31, 1991 (UK), December 25, 1992 (US)
Runtime	93 minutes (1h 33m)
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Cast	Josie Lawrence (Lottie Wilkins), Miranda Richardson (Rose Arbuthnot), Polly Walker (Lady Caroline Dester), Joan Plowright (Mrs. Fisher), Alfred Molina (Mellersh Wilkins), Michael Kitchen (George Briggs), Jim Broadbent (Frederick Arbuthnot)
Cinematography	Rex Maidment
Music	Richard Rodney Bennett
Rating	PG
Awards	3 Academy Award nominations (Best Supporting Actress - Joan Plowright, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design)

📖 Plot Summary

In the grey, oppressive melancholy of 1920s London, two unhappy women find each other through a classified advertisement that promises something magical: "To those who appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine..." Lottie Wilkins, trapped in a joyless marriage, and Rose Arbuthnot, similarly repressed and dutiful, make an impulsive decision that will change their lives—they pool their meager resources to rent a medieval Italian castle, San Salvatore, on the Riviera for one transformative month.

To afford the rental, they recruit two strangers: Mrs. Fisher, a rigid, judgmental elderly widow clinging to her memories of famous literary friends, and Lady Caroline Dester, a beautiful but world-weary socialite desperately seeking solitude away from her persistent admirers.

These four disparate women—different in age, temperament, and circumstance—arrive at the sun-drenched Italian retreat, and something miraculous begins to happen. The moment they step out of England's shadows and into the warmth of the castle, covered in cascading purple wisteria and bathed in golden light, their souls begin to bloom like flowers after winter. The idyllic setting becomes a catalyst for profound change, where they shed their social masks, confront their true selves, mend strained relationships, and rediscover lost joy, self-worth, and the courage to love again.

🌸 Key Themes

Place as a Catalyst for Transformation

The real protagonist of Enchanted April is the Italian setting itself. The abrupt physical transition from cold, oppressive London to the luminous Italian Riviera functions as nothing less than a spiritual rebirth. San Salvatore, with its warm Mediterranean light, fragrant gardens, and cascading wisteria, becomes a powerful healing space—a restorative environment that melts away the women's emotional rigidity and social pretenses. The film beautifully demonstrates how sometimes we need to physically leave our familiar surroundings to find the courage to change. The castle isn't just a vacation destination; it's a threshold to self-discovery.

The Power of Female Solidarity and Self-Discovery

Initially awkward and even hostile toward each other, the four women gradually form an unlikely sisterhood within their shared retreat. Freed from the constraints of husbands, societal expectations, and their prescribed roles, they discover the transformative power of authentic connection with other women. Lottie, in particular, undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis—from a timid, apologetic wife into a radiant optimist who dares to demand happiness. The film champions the idea that personal freedom often requires distance from the familiar and connection with others seeking the same liberation.

A Reaffirmation of Simple Pleasures

Enchanted April focuses not on grand drama or external conflict, but on the quiet, profound beauty of simple joys: the taste of sun-ripened fruit, the feel of warm stone beneath bare feet, the sight of the endless sea, and heartfelt conversation shared over meals. In a world obsessed with achievement and acquisition, the film offers a gentle reminder that true enchantment is found not in external success or wealth, but in internal peace, self-acceptance, and the ability to find beauty in the present moment. The Italian landscape facilitates not escape, but a return to what matters most.

💭 Personal Reflection

No one can feel happy all the time—that's simply the human condition. Yet when life feels grey and suffocating, we rarely give ourselves permission to step away, even temporarily. We complain about our circumstances while lacking the courage to leave our familiar patterns behind. I know I do this too.

There's a strange comfort in the familiar, even when it makes us unhappy. Routine can become a cage we've built ourselves, and we stay inside because at least we know its dimensions. But watching the women in Enchanted April escape their stifling lives and gradually discover new perspectives on love, joy, and themselves, I find myself thinking: What if I did that? What if I actually took that leap?

The irony is that articulating this desire feels so easy—I can write these words about courage and change without hesitation. But finding the actual courage to act? That's infinitely harder. Maybe that's what makes us human—this gap between knowing what we need and daring to reach for it.

우리는 불행을 알면서도 익숙한 그 자리를 쉽사리 떠나지 못합니다. 어쩌면 미지의 행복보다 익숙한 고통을 택하는 이 간극이야말로 인간의 가장 솔직한 모습일 것입니다.

(A reflection in my native Korean—because some truths about courage feel more honest in the language of your heart.)

🎬 What Makes This Film Special

Luminous Cinematography

Rex Maidment's cinematography is nothing short of exquisite. The film deliberately contrasts the muted, oppressive greys and browns of London with the soft golden light, azure seas, and rich pastels of Italy. Every frame featuring the castle—particularly those showcasing seaside vistas and walls draped in purple wisteria—feels like a sun-drenched invitation. The visual experience alone delivers the feeling of an Italian spring directly to the viewer, making the film a sensory escape as much as an emotional one.

Outstanding Ensemble Performances

Every actress brings nuance and depth to her role. Josie Lawrence's Lottie radiates infectious optimism that gradually thaws everyone around her. Miranda Richardson's Rose embodies quiet repression slowly giving way to self-awareness. Joan Plowright (nominated for an Academy Award) is magnificently brittle as Mrs. Fisher, her gradual softening all the more moving for its subtlety. And Polly Walker's Lady Caroline transforms from icy self-protection to vulnerable openness. The chemistry among these four women feels genuine, making their evolving friendships deeply satisfying to watch.

Mike Newell's Delicate Direction

Director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco) approaches the material with remarkable restraint and sensitivity. He allows the story to unfold at a contemplative pace, trusting his actors and the setting to work their magic without forcing dramatic beats. The film never feels rushed or manipulative; instead, it moves like a warm breeze—gentle, natural, and utterly refreshing.

Richard Rodney Bennett's Score

Composer Richard Rodney Bennett's music perfectly complements the film's tone—light, romantic, and wistful without being saccharine. The score enhances the emotional moments without overwhelming them, maintaining the film's delicate balance between joy and melancholy, laughter and tears.

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Did You Know?

• Enchanted April was based on Elizabeth von Arnim's beloved 1922 novel, which was also adapted for the stage and BBC television before this film version. The story has endured because its themes of escape and renewal remain universally resonant.

• The castle used for filming is actually Castello Brown in Portofino, Italy—a stunning 16th-century fortress overlooking the Mediterranean. The production took advantage of the real Italian spring to capture the wisteria in full bloom, giving the film its signature visual magic.

• Joan Plowright's Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress was well-deserved—her portrayal of Mrs. Fisher's transformation from rigid snob to warm human being is one of the film's greatest pleasures. The role showcased her remarkable range and subtlety.

• Despite being a small British production, Enchanted April found unexpected international success, particularly in the United States, where audiences responded to its gentle, life-affirming message during the often-cynical early 1990s.

🎯 Who Should Watch This Film

✅ Anyone feeling stuck in their routine and dreaming of escape
✅ Lovers of period dramas with gorgeous costumes and settings
✅ People who appreciate slow-burn, character-driven stories
✅ Fans of ensemble films about female friendship and empowerment
✅ Viewers seeking comfort films that feel like a warm embrace
✅ Those who find beauty in quiet, contemplative cinema
✅ Anyone planning (or dreaming about) an Italian vacation

🌍 Where to Watch (2025)

• Streaming: Available on Pluto TV (free with ads), The Roku Channel (free with ads), Hoopla (library card required), Tubi (free with ads)
• Rent/Buy: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Vudu
• Physical Media: Available on DVD and Blu-ray via Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch for current streaming options in your location.

📝 Final Thoughts

Enchanted April is a quiet masterpiece—a film that doesn't shout about its themes but instead whispers them like a warm breeze through wisteria. In a cinematic landscape often dominated by noise, spectacle, and cynicism, this gentle 1991 gem offers something increasingly rare: permission to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember that transformation doesn't always require drama. Sometimes it simply requires sunshine, honest companionship, and the courage to step away from what no longer serves us.

The film's greatest magic isn't in its beautiful Italian setting or even its wonderful performances—it's in the way it makes you believe that change is possible, that happiness isn't selfish, and that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is choose joy over duty, authenticity over appearances, and life over mere existence.

As Mrs. Fisher says near the film's end, softened by her month in Italy: "I had forgotten what it's like to be happy." Enchanted April reminds us—and gives us hope that we too might remember.

💬 Join the Conversation

Have you watched Enchanted April? Does this film make you want to escape to Italy, or has a place ever transformed your perspective the way San Salvatore changes these women? What would you do if you had one month to step away from your routine? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I'd love to hear about the places or experiences that have offered you refuge and renewal.

🎬 More from Cinematic Sanctuaries

If you loved the Italian transformation, explore more healing journeys:

• Under the Tuscan Sun - Rebuilding life after heartbreak in the Tuscan countryside
• Eat Pray Love - A woman's journey of self-discovery through Italy, India, and Bali
• Letters to Juliet - Finding love and second chances in Verona