Date: Fri 13-Oct-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: CAROLL

Illustration: C

Quick Words:

Playing-Month-Lake-Redgrave

Full Text:

(rev of Month By The Lake , Now Playing, Oct 13, 1995)

NOW PLAYING-

Redgrave's Return A Likable Offering

By Alexander Paul III

As a kid, I went through a phase in which I was fascinated by medieval tales -

swords and sorcery, knights and chivalry, damsels in distress. At nine years

old, I stayed up past my bedtime to watch a late-night movie showing of the

1967 film, Camelot . I sat in front of the tube, engrossed by the story of

King Arthur (Richard Harris), and especially enchanted by the beautiful

Vanessa Redgrave, who essayed the role of Guenevere.

I haven't seen Camelot since, but the image of Redgrave stuck. Her status as

one of the best actresses working today is not debated, but rarely has she

been given a chance of late to appear so luminous.

In her most recent feature film appearances ( Howard's End and Little Odessa

), Redgrave has surfaced in physically unflattering, though exquisitely acted,

roles. In fact, some people - myself included - were so convinced by her

portrayals of ailing matriarchs that it was assumed Redgrave herself was ill.

Also, those who know of the actress' career are keenly aware of her

controversial political stances. It is not necessary to get into all that

here, but let it suffice to say she has a reputation for being anything but

frivolous or flighty.

Yet those two adjectives would go a long way towards describing the tone of

her latest film, A Month By the Lake , currently playing at the Bethel Cinema.

This light, romantic comedy also brings back a spry, boisterous Redgrave that

hasn't been seen on film in some time.

Based on an H.E. Bates short story and directed by John Irvin, who helmed the

under-rated Widow's Peak , this likable, droll offering is set in the spring

of 1937, just before World War II, on Lake Como in Italy. The lake is the

favorite vacationing spot of a vibrant, middle-age English woman, Miss Bentley

(Redgrave), who is spending her first season at the location alone. She has

attended the site for the last 16 years with her father, but he has recently

passed away.

An aspiring photographer, Miss Bentley soon finds her lenses gazing upon a

rather interesting subject in the Italian villa, a fellow Britisher, Major

Wilshaw (Edward Fox). Instantly taken by the man, Miss Bentley is soon

engaging in cat-and-mouse games of affection with the stuffy major, which

includes such things as opposing him in a fiercely competitive game of tennis.

Their burgeoning relationship is thrown a rather unexpected curve by the

arrival of a young American nanny, Miss Beaumont (Uma Thurman). It is not long

before the spoiled beauty decides to have some fun with the uptight fellow and

lead him on. Not one to just sit by the sidelines, Miss Bentley plays along

and soon concocts some whimsical schemes of her own.

Ultimately, A Month By the Lake is not a terribly important film. It is more

of a pleasant lark. My reaction to this film is quite similar to that which I

had with The Bridges of Madison County : the film itself, from a story

standpoint, is rather pedestrian and uninspiring, but the combination of these

particular actors makes it immensely interesting and watchable.

Redgrave is just a joy to observe as she subtly marks out the emotional

territory of this character. Aside from that, she simply seems to be enjoying

herself, even going so far as to display her lithe figure in a bathing suit

sequence in which her younger rival, who remains modestly swathed in a robe,

is definitely out-classed.

A Month By the Lake is rated PG and contains few profanities and sparse

occasions of sexual innuendo. Its moderate pace may not endear it to the

multiplex, mall crowd, but Redgrave's performance should be more than enough

for most.