Up at the Villa (2000)

In the tumultuous days preceding World War II, the tranquil beauty of Florence, Italy, becomes a stage for a tale of romance, intrigue, and personal transformation. Mary Panton, a penniless English widow, finds herself at a crossroads of the heart and fate during a holiday near this fabled city. The aging British aristocrat Sir Edgar Swift, newly-appointed Governor of Bengal, presents her with a marriage proposal, offering stability and status. However, life takes an unexpected turn when he leaves her a pistol for protection. As the days in 1938 unfold, Mary's life becomes entwined with a diverse cast of characters, each holding a mirror to the superficiality of society. An Austrian refugee draws her empathy, stirring in her a sense of compassionate defiance. An encounter with a fascist Police Chief tests her mettle, while a dalliance with an American playboy awakens feelings she thought were long buried. When a well-intentioned act spirals into a tragedy, Mary is thrust into a vortex of blackmail, theft, and death. She is forced to navigate a complex web of emotions and decisions, torn between the pillars of societal reputation and the whispers of her heart, between the reliability of an arranged future and the unpredictable allure of love. But as Mary soon discovers, choices often have a way of unravelling in ways one least expects, forever altering the landscape of one's life. "Up at the Villa" is a mesmerizing dance of destiny and desire, a poignant portrayal of personal evolution amidst the chaos of a world on the brink of war.

Up at the Villa is a drama movie featuring Kristin Scott Thomas and directed by Philip Haas.

Up at the Villa is currently streaming on Hoopla.