Tea with Mussolini
Seen it?1999 | 117 min | Comedy, Drama, War
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and history buffs. If you loved The Bridge on the River Kwai or Operation Mincemeat, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 57 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
In 1930s fascist Italy, adolescent Luca just lost his mother. His father, a callous businessman, sends him to be taken care of by British expatriate Mary Wallace. Mary and her cultured friends - including artist Arabella, young widow Elsa, and archaeologist Georgie - keep a watchful eye over the boy. But the women's cultivated lives take a dramatic turn when Allied forces declare war on Mussolini.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
65% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.4 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Also nominated for 1 more BAFTA.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$46 million worldwide on a $12 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 112K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli
- Maggie SmithLady Hester Random
- Judi DenchArabella
- Joan PlowrightMary Wallace
- CherElsa Strauss-Almerson
- Lily TomlinGeorgina "Georgie" Rockwell
- Baird WallaceLuca
- Charlie LucasLuca (Child)
- Michael WilliamsBritish Consul
- Paul ChequerWilfred Random, aka Miss Lucy
- Massimo GhiniPaolo