Like Under The Tuscan Sun, this adaptation of William Trevor's novella exploits the charm of the Italian countryside to the full but offers little plot progression to keep the restless at bay. The beginning, at least, has its dramas: a terrorist attack on a train results in tragedy and eccentric passenger Emily Delahunty (Maggie Smith, who deservedly won an Emmy for her performance in this made-for-American-TV movie) invites her fellow survivors to recuperate at her idyllic abode in Umbria.
The characters are engaging enough, and their interaction makes for some gently amusing viewing at times, but the film's initial promise soon dissipates, leaving it as little more than a standard genre-piece set to entertain its niche audience only.