Tea with Mussolini (1999)

Set against the backdrop of 1935 Florence, the movie 'Tea with Mussolini' draws the viewer into an enthralling tale of cultural fusion, maternal bonds, and the stark realities of war. The plot circles around an eclectic group of elderly British women, affectionately christened 'the Scorpioni' by the Italians. They are drawn to Italy by their shared love for its art and culture, and their desire to merge their rigid British upbringing with the more vivacious Italian way of life. Among this group is Mary Walsh (Dame Joan Plowright), an English secretary for the negligent Paolo Innocente (Massimo Ghini). When Paolo's illegitimate son, Luca (Baird Wallace), is orphaned, Mary willingly becomes his guardian, aided financially by Paolo and emotionally by her fellow Scorpioni. Also associated with the Scorpioni is Elsa Morgenthal (Cher), a brash Jewish-American woman with a penchant for marrying wealthy men, who offers to set up a trust for Luca, a gesture motivated by her affection for his late mother. The tranquility of this unusual family is disrupted with the onset of World War II. When Italy declares war on Britain and France, the Scorpioni, including the pompous Lady Hester Random (Dame Maggie Smith), the widow of a former ambassador, are interned. Their confinement, however, is far from harsh, as they find themselves comfortably housed in a hotel, a facility secretly arranged and funded by Elsa. As the war intensifies, Luca returns from his education in Austria to assist Elsa in her endeavors to help the persecuted. Now a teenager, he has fallen in love with Elsa and is troubled by her relationship with Vittorio Fanfanni (Paolo Seganti), an Italian lawyer with dubious intentions. When the United States joins the war, Elsa's situation becomes perilous, and she discovers that she has been duped by Fanfanni, who has seized her wealth and is plotting her execution. Amidst the turmoil, the Scorpioni, including the American archaeologist Georgie (Lily Tomlin), must band together to navigate the challenges of war and betrayal. Through all the tumult, Mary remains a beacon of righteousness for Luca, guiding him in his journey from adolescence to adulthood, amidst the chaos of a world at war. 'Tea with Mussolini' is a cinematic exploration of the complexities of love, loyalty, and the resilience of a makeshift family, battling the tides of war, prejudice, and personal upheaval. The narrative is a semi-autobiographical take from the life of Franco Zeffirelli, adding a layer of authenticity to this compelling blend of history and fiction.

Tea with Mussolini is a comedy movie featuring Maggie Smith.

Tea with Mussolini is currently streaming on DIRECTV.