Up at the Villa

Up at the Villa 2000

Directed by

Philip Haas

Philip Haas

Test your knowledge of Up at the Villa with our quiz!

Plot Summary


A recently bereaved Englishwoman, Mary Panton, portrayed by Kristin Scott Thomas, finds herself residing at the opulent villa of affluent friends just outside Florence, Italy, amidst the turbulent backdrop of 1938. The day after a gathering to celebrate the Munich Agreement, her old acquaintance, Sir Edgar Swift, played by James Fox, unexpectedly proposes marriage. Although taken aback, Mary requests a few days to contemplate his offer, which he graciously accepts, promising to return from Rome for their discussion.

That evening, as she attends a soirée hosted by her friend, the Princess San Ferdinando, enchanting depicted by Anne Bancroft, Mary crosses paths with the charming but married American, Rowley Flint, brought to life by Sean Penn, known for his roguish demeanor. During the festivities, the entertainment—a violinist, acted by Jeremy Davies, is so inept that the Princess has him dismissed. Moved by compassion, Mary discreetly tips him generously. Rowley offers Mary a ride home, en route to which, they stop at a quaint church. Here, Mary reveals her painful history of being married to an abusive alcoholic who perished in a car accident, leaving her in dire straits. Attempting to get closer, Rowley leans in to kiss her, but she recoils and drives off, her frustration boiling over as she narrowly avoids hitting the young violinist from earlier, who turns out to be Karl Richter.

Feeling a sense of sympathy for Karl, a starving refugee from Austria fleeing Nazi oppression, Mary invites him for dinner. After an emotionally charged evening, she succumbs to temptation, sharing an intimate moment with him, only for him to depart the following morning. The very same day, Mary attends a meeting with fellow English expatriates and local authorities, where Beppino Leopardi, the Fascist official, sternly informs them they must legally register their stay in Italy. Later that night, much to her astonishment, Karl breaks into her room professing his love. However, when she confesses her earlier act was one of “pity,” he erupts with rage, resulting in a chaotic confrontation that tragically culminates in his suicide with the gun she had received from Sir Edgar.

In a frantic state, Mary enlists Rowley’s help to conceal the incident, leading to a heart-pounding moment where they dispose of Karl’s body in the woods, manipulating the evidence to avert any implication of her involvement. Yet their relief is short-lived when Leopardi soon shows up to inform Mary that Rowley has been arrested for possessing an unregistered firearm belonging to Sir Edgar. Fearing for Rowley’s fate, as well as the repercussions for Edgar, Mary cleverly seeks out the Princess. In a bold move, she gets the Princess intoxicated, coaxing her into revealing a past of blackmail against Leopardi involving incriminating financial documents.

Seizing the opportunity, Mary visits Leopardi’s office, brandishing the documents as leverage to secure Rowley’s release. Though he is furious, Leopardi complies, allowing her to bring a wounded Rowley back home. Confession lays heavy on Mary as she admits her feelings for Rowley, yet they acknowledge the impossibility of fidelity and part ways. Later, Mary confides in Edgar, sharing the tumultuous experiences she has faced in recent days. Surprisingly empathetic, he still desires to marry her, albeit acknowledging that accepting her would require relinquishing his esteemed position to prevent a scandal. Realizing she does not love him and fearing for his career, Mary ultimately declines his proposal.

The following day at the station, as Mary embarks on her journey back to London, she is taken aback when Rowley joins her in the train car. Announcing his own plans to travel to Paris, they mutually decide to embark on this adventure together, suggesting a fresh start for their relationship amidst the ebbs and flows of life’s chaos.

Timeline


Mary Panton's Arrival

Mary Panton arrives at her affluent friends' villa just outside Florence, Italy, following the recent death of her husband. The opulence of the villa contrasts sharply with her deep sense of loss and isolation.

1938 Villa near Florence, Italy

Proposal from Sir Edgar Swift

The day after a gathering celebrating the Munich Agreement, Sir Edgar Swift unexpectedly proposes to Mary. Though surprised, Mary asks for time to consider his offer, which he graciously accepts, planning a return from Rome.

The Soirée at Princess San Ferdinando's

That evening, Mary attends a lavish soirée hosted by her friend, the Princess San Ferdinando. During the event, an incompetent violinist is dismissed, and Mary shows kindness by giving him a generous tip.

Princess San Ferdinando's Villa

Encounter with Rowley Flint

At the soirée, Mary meets the charming but married American, Rowley Flint. He offers her a ride home, and they stop at a quaint church where Mary opens up about her traumatic past.

Quaint Church

Mary's Confession

During their ride, Mary reveals the pain of her previous marriage to an abusive alcoholic who died tragically. This moment creates a palpable tension, leading to Rowley's attempted kiss, which Mary rebuffs vehemently.

On the way home

Mary Invites Karl for Dinner

Feeling compassion for a starving Austrian refugee named Karl Richter, Mary invites him to dinner. Their emotionally charged evening culminates in an intimate moment, despite Mary knowing he must leave the following morning.

Mary's Villa

Meeting with English Expatriates

Mary attends a meeting with English expatriates and local authorities, where Fascist official Beppino Leopardi insists they register their stay in Italy. The tense atmosphere underscores the precarious position of foreigners in the country.

Local Authority Office

Chaos After Karl's Arrival

That night, Karl breaks into Mary's room confessing his love for her. When Mary admits her previous actions were driven by pity, Karl reacts violently, culminating in a tragic confrontation and his subsequent suicide.

Mary's Room

Covering Up the Incident

In desperation, Mary enlists Rowley to help conceal Karl's death. They dispose of his body in the woods, a frantic and tense moment that highlights Mary's fear of being caught in a scandal.

Woods

Rowley's Arrest

Mary's relief is short-lived when Leopardi informs her of Rowley's arrest due to possession of an unregistered firearm. Faced with the risk of losing both Rowley and Edgar, Mary must act quickly to protect them.

Blackmailing Leopardi

Determined to help Rowley, Mary seeks out Princess San Ferdinando and successfully gets her intoxicated. Under the influence, the Princess divulges blackmailing information that could turn the tide in Mary’s favor.

Villa of Princess San Ferdinando

Securing Rowley’s Release

Mary confronts Leopardi with incriminating documents, leveraging them to secure Rowley's release from custody. Although furious, Leopardi has no choice but to comply with her demands.

Leopardi's Office

Confession to Rowley

After Rowley's release, Mary admits her feelings for him, yet they both recognize the impossibility of their situation. This moment of vulnerability leads to a poignant farewell as they decide to part ways for the moment.

Mary's Heart-Wrenching Decision

Mary meets with Sir Edgar, where she confesses her recent tumultuous experiences. Although Edgar remains hopeful for a relationship, Mary ultimately declines his marriage proposal, recognizing her lack of love for him.

Departure to London

As Mary prepares to leave for London, she is surprised to find Rowley joining her on the train. They decide to travel to Paris together, hinting at a new beginning amidst the uncertainties of life.

Train Station

Characters


Mary Panton

Mary is a recently bereaved Englishwoman who finds herself grappling with grief while exploring romantic possibilities. Her character is defined by resilience, facing emotional turmoil with a blend of vulnerability and strength. As she navigates complex relationships, her choices reveal a deep longing for genuine connection despite societal constraints.

💔 Bereavement 🌹 Romance 🤔 Conflict

Sir Edgar Swift

Sir Edgar is a well-meaning, though traditional, man who proposes marriage to Mary, representing societal expectations and stability. His character embodies the struggles between personal desire and public duty, revealing layers of complexity as he grapples with potential scandal over true affection.

💍 Proposal 📜 Tradition 🤵 Gentleman

Rowley Flint

Rowley is a charming but married American whose roguish demeanor draws Mary in. His character provides a mixture of excitement and chaos, serving as a catalyst for Mary's escape from her grief. Rowley’s moral conflicts highlight the blurred lines between attraction and duty.

❤️ Attraction 🌪️ Chaos ✈️ Adventure

Karl Richter

Karl is a tragic figure, a refugee from Austria whose desperation leads to intense encounters with Mary. His character encapsulates the despair faced by those fleeing oppression and the fragility of human connection. His ultimate fate raises questions about love, pity, and the consequences of emotional decisions.

🇦🇹 Refugee 😢 Tragedy ⚔️ Conflict

Princess San Ferdinando

The Princess is a socialite who plays host to glamorous gatherings, representing the aristocratic society of the time. Her character serves as a facilitator of events that propel Mary into her dilemmas, showcasing the power dynamics within their social circle.

👑 Aristocracy 🎉 Socialite 💖 Glamour

Setting


Time period

1938

The events of the film transpire in 1938, a time marked by significant geopolitical tensions and the rise of fascism in Europe. This era saw the Munich Agreement, an attempt to appease Nazi Germany, which contextualizes the characters' interactions and decisions. For Mary, this historical backdrop accentuates her personal struggles with love and loss against the chaos of the world around her.

Location

Florence, Italy

The movie is set in the picturesque landscapes just outside Florence, a city renowned for its rich history, art, and architecture. The opulent villa serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama, emphasizing the contrast between wealth and the emotional turmoil of the characters. Florence in 1938 is also a place grappling with the political climate of Europe on the brink of World War II.

🏰 Villa 🇮🇹 Italy 🌆 Urban Life

Themes


💔

Love and Loss

The theme of love and loss is evident in Mary’s journey through grief after her previous marriage and her encounters with new potential relationships. Her connections with Karl and Rowley highlight the complexities of love, especially in dire circumstances. The intertwining of personal losses with societal pressures adds depth to her emotional landscape.

🕵️‍♀️

Deception

Deception looms large as Mary navigates the aftermath of Karl's tragic fate. The necessity to conceal the truth from authorities and the manipulation of those around her raises ethical questions. The film explores how desperation can lead to moral compromises and the lengths one might go to protect loved ones.

🌍

Escape and Freedom

The notion of escape features prominently as characters seek refuge from their tumultuous lives. Mary’s journey reflects a desire for freedom from her past and societal expectations. By the end, her decision to travel with Rowley signifies a new beginning, exploring themes of liberation amidst uncertainty.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.