Review of My House in Umbria (2003) by Matthew D — 21 May 2018

A melodramatic meandering mess.

Unfortunately, Maggie Smith's solid performance cannot save this overlong, overly sentimental, under written mixed bag. Smith can get obnoxious as an alcoholic, alone author, but she is largely entertaining as the lead. The acting is convincing, but they have little to work with as the script is full of cliches and simplistic plot points.

I cannot understand how My House in Umbria was allowed to be released as is for it comes across as preachy, melodramatic, and judgmental. Characters are stereotypes with little motivation and no development. The narrative is so basic that it should have been impossible to muddle up such a simple premise. However, much of what we see is based on speculation instead of evidence, coincidence instead of established events, and dream sequences instead of flashbacks. Choices are made that feel either out of character or random to the audience. I was so confused at many of the director's decisions.

Notably, there are superfluous scenes of dream sequences that are either real or imagined as needed by the plot. The way these sequences are edited into the movie are comically overly dramatized and amateur level effects work is on full display.

My House in Umbria is more frustrating than engaging. I found myself bored and often upset at how ridiculous certain plot-lines played out. I think only a die hard fan of Italy and romance novels could enjoy the scenery and sentimentality of this movie. It has charming moments, but overall falls flat as a coherent film.