My House in Umbria

Synopsis: It was supposed to be a routine shopping trip to Milan by train. Emily Delahunty, a successful romance author and lonely eccentric, shares her railway journey with eight strangers and, with a novelist's eye, observes her fellow passengers. But as the train rolls through the picturesque Italian countryside, a terrorist bomb interrupts the tranquil atmosphere, shattering the compartment and the lives of the people in it.

From reading the synopsis you might think this film sounds a bit so-so and I wouldn't blame you. This is not the kind of film that I would usually get excited about. The words 'picturesque' "tranquil' and 'eccentric' hardly inspire one to action. Fortunately, a synopsis can be deceiving. Of course there is picturesque countryside and Maggie Smith's rendition of Emily Delahunty could be called eccentric. However, if you look below the surface 'with a novelist's eye', you will find a much more interesting than a series of pretty picture set in a luscious mount.

My House in Umbria was originally commissioned by Frank Doegler, an executive producer at HBO so its initial release in the US was as a telemovie. HBO has in recent years been acknowledged for their willingness to try projects that would not be picked up by other film or television studios, notably the Mike Nichols-directed Angels in America.

So, given its provenance, what is it about this film that might be considered 'edgy' and worthy of a big screen release? Firstly, the lead role is played by a woman who has just turned seventy. (28th December; Happy birthday Maggie!) She doesn't look like she's had cosmetic surgery in those seventy years. The character she plays drinks from dawn 'til dusk, makes it a challenge to guess everyone's star sign and takes notice of her dreams. She is the archetypal wounded healer. A loveless childhood has resulted in a desire, and perhaps a need, to look after others less fortunate. She doesn't judge people. She watches and listens. Her observations and advice are often right on the mark. She sees fear in people's eyes and the stories she weaves in her imagination about the people she meets often seem clairvoyant.

The supporting cast are an interesting, and given their individual contributions to the film even inspired, choice. Chris Cooper plays Thomas Riversmith, the uncle of young Aimee, whose parents are killed in the attack. Ronnie Barker plays The General, whilst Timothy Spall is Emily's loyal friend from a less than squeaky-clean past.

While sitting around one of their sumptuous meals, Emily declares, 'Sometimes I think we're in a story that is being made up as each day passes." Isn't that the nature of our lives? A bunch of stories of parallel lives that sometimes intersect; some interesting, some mundane. There is plenty to hold your attention in this small story if you're willing to give it a go.

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