Synopsis

In 1937, Miss Bentley returns to Lake Como for a restorative summer after her father's death. She becomes attracted to the reserved Major Wilshaw, but his attention shifts toward the younger, flirtatious Miss Beaumont. Determined to win him back, Miss Bentley invents a romantic rival and launches an increasingly playful campaign of jealousy, pride, and emotional maneuvering against the idyllic backdrop of prewar Italy.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on H. E. Bates' novella "A Month by the Lake," published in the collection "The Grapes of Paradise" in 1960.

• The story takes place during the last summer before World War II, giving the genteel romantic comedy an undercurrent of historical unease. A Fascist parade through a lakeside village briefly brings the approaching conflict into view.

• The production was filmed around Lake Como in Italy, allowing the villas, gardens, water, and surrounding landscape to serve as a major part of its visual appeal.

• Vanessa Redgrave received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for her performance.

• The film reunited Vanessa Redgrave and Edward Fox for the first time since "Oh! What a Lovely War" in 1969.

• Producer Robert Fox is Edward Fox's younger brother and was formerly married to Vanessa Redgrave's daughter, Natasha Richardson.

• Edward Fox and Uma Thurman had previously appeared together in "Robin Hood," also directed by John Irvin.

• Released in the United States on September 22, 1995, the film earned approximately $2.1 million in worldwide box office receipts.