# Tea with Mussolini (1999)

### reviewed by
Mac VerStandig

    Tea with Mussolini
    3 stars (Out of 4)
    Reviewed by Mac VerStandig
    critic@moviereviews.org
    http://www.moviereviews.org
    Opens in the USA on May 14, 1999
    Reviewed on May 8, 1999

Recently, there have been several movies using WWII as their background. Three of the five films nominated for Best Picture at the 1998 Academy Awards - Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, and The Thin Red Line - all used this period as their political setting. Franco Zeffirelli's Tea with Mussolini is the latest film to take place during this time frame. By using a wonderful blend of plot and history, Zeffirelli proves that this backdrop is still far from overused.

Much of Tea with Mussolini is a history lesson. The production begins in Italy in 1935, continuing until 1942. The story takes place in Mussolini's homeland the entire time. The film is careful to be as historically accurate as possible, announcing several key dates as they occur during the seven year span, and carefully portraying the various European political opinions from the war. A fine example of this is when an Italian man dismisses the rumors of Jewish suffering as "Pink Propaganda." This historic accuracy allows for the all important backdrop of the film to be as smooth as possible.

The protagonist of Zeffirelli's latest work is Luca Innocenti (Baird Wallace as a child and Charlie Lucas as a teenager), a child born out of wedlock, and therefore unrecognized by his father. Luca is cared for by his father's employee, Mary (Joan Plowright) and her group of friends. Known as the "Scorpioni," this group of eccentric women consists of Lady Hester (Maggie Smith), Georgia (Lily Tomlin), Arabella (Dame Judi Dench) and the American, Elsa (Cher). These ladies all look after Luca as he comes of age during the film's seven year span. In addition, they look after themselves, all being British with the exception of Elsa, and therefore enemies of Italy once the nation enters into the war.

Tea with Mussolini features a rather impressive cast of proven actresses. Unfortunately, Cher, one of the leads, fails to perform to her potential. One such display of her substandard acting is in a scene that requires her to be crying on her bed, in a state of hysterical denial. Not only is she unrealistic, but her pathetic acting is almost comical at this key point of the film, thus damaging the otherwise excellent production. Fortunately though, Baird Wallace, who portrays the teenage Luca, is absolutely stunning in his debut performance. Ironically, this is never more apparent than in a part of the film where his character is alone in a room with Cher's character, and is being asked to do her a favor. Not only does he carry himself well enough to make the scene work, but his talent even manages to make Cher look decent for that fleeting moment.

Don't be fooled by the big name studio behind this production. Although MGM did make the film, it is far from a typical Hollywood work. Actually filmed entirely overseas, Tea with Mussolini plays like an exceptional independent film. The scenery is rich, the costumes are simple, and there are no special effects in sight. Altogether, this gives the film a very warm and personal touch for which Zeffirelli should be applauded.

Tea with Mussolini is a production well worth the price of a ticket. This movie is not the greatest of 1999, and is injured by Cher's performance, or lack thereof. But on the flip side, there is a wonderful plot interwoven with history. Because of that history, and the marvelous setting it provides, you realize that WWII certainly hasn't gone out of style, and Tea with Mussolini may never.

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