Tea With Mussolini Review
by "Luke Buckmaster" (bucky AT alphalink DOT com DOT au)August 8th, 1999
TEA WITH MUSSOLINI
Cast: Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith, Cher, Judi Dench, Lily Tomlin, Charlie Lucas, Baird Wallace, Claudio Spadaro
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Screenplay: John Mortimer and Franco Zeffirelli based on "The Autobiography of Franco Zeffirelli"
Reviewed by Luke Buckmaster
On the Buckmaster scale of 0 stars (bomb), to 5 stars (a masterpiece): 3 stars
I gathered two meanings from the title "Tea with Mussolini." The first one refers to an actual, real-life event in which a character in the film does indeed sit down and have a cuppa with the legendary Roman leader himself. The second, as I interpreted it, has a slightly ironical overture. The word "tea" brings to mind visions of calmness and peace, and whist these are the overriding message of this film (it's subtlety belt into your forehead by director Franco Zeffirelli), it strives for more than just a story devoted to the kinship between its central characters. There's another message in the film that relates to the political nature of war, as observed by a group of elderly, respectable women. Whilst Zeffirelli doesn't go wildly in depth into war events - usually he shows a few clips of mild carnage and distress then moves on - he does do it on enough occasions to jerk his narrative out of flow, which leads to his one major misstep: he tries to cover too much. Unsatisfied by the breath of his lovable and beautifully developed characters, Zeffirelli goes for a universal meaning, when individual growth would have been good enough.
That's probably as cynical as I can get about this very likeable film, and I've said it all in the first paragraph. Although similar ground was covered to greater affect in Roberto Benigni's much acclaimed 'Life is Beautiful,' 'Tea with Mussolini' proves its right for theatrical existence by first supplying quality production elements. The film is gorgeously shot by cinematographer David Watkin ('Memphis Belle') who is privileged with the already stunning environment of Florence, and the sixty-something actors all play their parts convincingly, bouncing off each other with talent and authenticity that many years of experience have given them.
Based on an autobiographical novel, the 'Scorpioni' were a small group of eccentirc English ladies living in Florence. The story begins in 1935, when Mary (Joan Plowright) brings a young boy, Luca (played as a child by Charlie Lucas then later by Baird Wallace), into the circle of friends. Luca is encouraged to appreciate all kinds of art by Arabella (Judi Dench), and is taken care of and loved by the members of the group. Lady Hester (Maggie Smith) is the undeclared leader of the Scorpioni, whose dry humour and cynical comments at every corner keep the group in stride. All this is really just an inflated prologue, as the centerpiece drama unfolds as World War II breaks out and, when Italy sides with Germany, the Scorpioni find themselves in the wrong country at the wrong time.
I suppose the surprise member of the cast is Cher, who plays a wealthy and glamorous American (so far from reality, huh?) and fits in quite nicely with the talent that surrounds her. She proves that she is strong enough, to live without music videos. That said, Joan Plowright is close to perfection as the lovable and wise Mary, and Maggie Smith delivers her lines with a cool, dry wit that makes her one of the film's most entertaining actors. Judi Dench is also strong, but then again, so is everybody. 'Tea With Mussolini' reassures us that, no matter how old the protagonists of a film may be, basic characteristics of acting don't change. The film's characters are vivid and engaging, thanks purely to these performers and, to a lesser degree, their dialogue, which flows quite nicely and even contains some quaint English humour.
Tea With Mussolini looks, sounds and feels like an Oscar contender that has arrived unexpectedly, and considerably earlier than usual (the fierce competition usually begins in November or December). I think it's one of those films that most people will consider "good" but not "great," it's a strong serve but it isn't an ace. Zeffirelli, at times, seems like he's taking his material a little too seriously, but that's a problem that's pretty much unavoidable, considering the nature of the picture, its context and its characters. It's pretty serious stuff; it's all about hope, and faith, and devotion, and togetherness, and inspiration, and love and…boy, this does sound like an Oscar contender.
Many of the heights in Tea With Mussolini occur when the picture relaxes and allows its characters - rather than its setting, or its Place in History - to interact with each other. When this occurs, the film soars. If Zeffirelli had kept his narrative intimate and close but still mildly threatening, this good film could have been a great one. In his attempts to cover world history, Zeffirelli lessens the impact of his skillfully etched characters, but still includes enough of the good stuff to make Tea With Mussolini an entertaining and sometimes moving picture that aspires to achieve a little more than it actually does.
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Review © copyright Luke Buckmaster
Read more of my reviews at In Film Australia
http://infilmau.iah.net
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