Watch A Month by the Lake

A Month by the Lake is a romantic period drama that was released in 1995, directed by John Irvin and based on the novella of the same name by H.E. Bates. The movie takes place in 1937 and follows the story of Miss Bentley (Vanessa Redgrave), a middle-aged Englishwoman who arrives at a hotel on the shores of Lake Como in Italy for her annual holiday. She meets two other guests: Major Wilshaw (Edward Fox) and Miss Beaumont (Uma Thurman), both of whom are significantly younger than her.

Miss Bentley, who has been coming to the hotel for 15 years, is a spinster who appears to have accepted her lonely existence. However, she soon finds herself drawn to Major Wilshaw who initially seems pompous and vain, but is actually a charming and witty man. They develop a close friendship over the course of her holiday, and Miss Bentley begins to feel a sense of contentment and happiness that she never thought she would experience.

Meanwhile, Miss Beaumont, a beautiful and manipulative young woman, has set her sights on Major Wilshaw and will stop at nothing to win him over. She uses her feminine wiles to try and seduce him, much to the dismay of Miss Bentley, who sees through her facade and tries to warn him of her true nature.

As the weeks progress, Miss Bentley and Major Wilshaw become closer, with their conversations revealing much about their respective lives and past experiences. They take a boat ride on the lake, visit nearby towns and attend local dances, all the while enjoying each other's company. However, as their time together draws to a close, both characters are forced to confront their true feelings for each other and decide whether to take a chance on love or maintain their current status quo.

The movie is set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Como, which provides a stunning and romantic setting for the story. The costumes and set design are also impressive, accurately depicting the period and adding to the overall charm of the movie.

Vanessa Redgrave's portrayal of Miss Bentley is excellent, conveying the character's loneliness, intelligence and vulnerability with depth and nuance. Edward Fox is equally impressive as Major Wilshaw, bringing charisma and charm to a character that could have easily come across as insufferable.

Uma Thurman's performance as Miss Beaumont is also noteworthy, as she deftly portrays the character's manipulative and seductive nature. The chemistry between the three leads is palpable, adding to the tension and drama of the story.

Overall, A Month by the Lake is a poignant and bittersweet romantic drama that explores themes of love, loneliness and the fear of taking chances. The beautiful setting, outstanding performances and well-written story make it a movie that is sure to captivate viewers.

A Month by the Lake is a 1995 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.