A Night Out at Home

Ken and I watched Enchanted April, an English movie airing on TCM last Monday eve. I’d heard it was about women’s relationships, so I wasn’t sure he’d like it. But he joined me, and when it was over he said,Well, that was nice. I felt blessed.

I’ve been thinking about the movie off and on ever since. The symbolism was interesting—the disappointed-Madonna image, blood from the pricked finger, the walking stick that sprouted when planted. I want to see the movie again so I can get a better handle on the nuances.

The simple story portrays four women who suffer intolerable lives in London. To get away, they agree to join the others and rent a castle in Italy during the month of April. Each experiences a transformation during their stay.

Mrs. Fisher, an older widow, wanted to be left alone with memories of an illustrious past. In the end she abandoned her past to enjoy new friends.

Caroline felt overwhelmed by the need to project physical beauty. She connected to a man with limited physical eyesight who saw into people’s hearts.

Rose endured a husband who had abandoned her emotionally. She barely hoped when following Lottie's suggestion, and an ironic circumstance brought her husband to her.

And Lottie? In London she couldn’t break into her husband’s obsessive need for status and position—an obsession so deep he didn’t notice her as a person. In her desperation she talked out of turn—said things one shouldn’t say to another—intruded into other people’s lives—epitomized the silly woman.

But through all of that desperation, Lottie believed. She believed enough to push for something that went against common practice, even against proper behavior. She believed enough to think her friends and her husband could be changed. Her silly, intrusive words generated life, even in her husband. He came to meet her and wondered why he hadn't seen her beauty before.

And Ken and I bought into it—because it seemed believable. Perhaps because we believe people can be transformed.

I’m inclined to interpret the story as a metaphor for God at work in people's lives through one individual who chooses to believe. I just don't want to limit the wonder of transformation to a month in a beautiful setting.

Lottie chose faith. Her foolish words entered the others through the power of faith. In the end, they produced golden fruit.

Yeah, I know I’m pushing the metaphor. But the movie spoke to me. I do plan to see it again.