Ladies in Lavender

(Herald rating: * * *)

Ladies in Lavender is an appalling title which conjures up images of bridge clubs doing garden tours. But think of films such as Waking Ned Devine before you judge this film on its title or the age of its actresses Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Smith and Dench are after all two of England's most distinguished and remarkable thespians, and in this gentle period drama more than capable of appealing to those of all ages.

Yes, it is a joy to watch these two women express so much about their characters while saying so little, and it is the pleasure of watching them weave their magic on the screen that makes this film so charming.

Based on the short story by William J. Locke, Ladies in Lavender focuses on two spinster sisters Ursula and Janet Widdington (Dench and Smith) who live in the 30s in a wonderful old house by the sea in Cornwall.

The sisters live a simple, uneventful life filled with beach walks, afternoon naps, sewing and listening to the wireless. That is, until a mysterious young foreigner called Andreas is washed up on their beach barely alive.

The sisters take Andreas in and nurse him back to life. Ursula, never married and sexually naive, begins to teach her new patient English, and very sweetly begins to fall in love for the first time. She discovers that he is Polish, has an ear for music with a talent for the violin, and was on his way to America.

Slowly Andreas recovers, and meets a visiting German artist (Natasha McElhone) whose brother is a world-renowned violinist. When she hears Andreas play she is mesmerised by his talent and is determined to introduce Andreas to her brother - if she can tear him away from his two overly protective nurses.

We do not learn much about Andreas, but his impact on Ursula and Janet is immense. He is a catalyst for them to reflect on their lives, and awakens feelings they hadn't experienced for a long time.

Ladies in Lavender doesn't quite reach its full potential, and the simple story drags. But actor turned first-time director Charles Dance sure knows how to cast himself out of any trouble.

CAST: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Bruhl

DIRECTOR: Charles Dance

RUNNING TIME: 99 minutes

RATING: M - Low level offensive language

CINEMAS: Rialto and Berkeley from Thursday