By Ranjan Bhaduri
Dec.19, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Yesterday TCM showed the endearing, slow paced movie Enchanted April. The novel was written by author Elizabeth von Arnim and it was published in 1922. It became a best seller in both the USA and England. The popularity of the book inspired director Mike Newell to adapt it for a film. Apart from that, a stage play was developed from it which was directed by stalwart Matthew Barber. It went on to win nominations for the prestigious Tony awards. It made its debut in Broadway in 2003. The film too won nomination for Academy award and won some other coveted awards.

The plot of the novel deals with the lives of 4 women hailing from different backgrounds. The backdrop of the story is set in England, during the 1920s. The women leave behind the rainy and damp atmosphere of their hometown, to go to a holiday. They reach a secluded castle in Italy. Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Arbuthnot attended the same club for women but did not speak before get to know each other after they find an ad in the papers for vacation villas on rent. They find out that despite their dissimilar backgrounds they have certain common aspects in life. They were both trapped in unhappy marriages.

Slowly they get closer to Lady Caroline Dester, a loner, and aged Mrs Fisher. The 4 ladies bond big time in the castle and find peace and happiness amidst the serene beauty of San Salvatore. The movie was picturised in Portofino, Italy. The Castello Brown was the same place where the writer stayed herself.