Lady L
Lady L

Movie spotlight

Lady L

1965
Movie
117 min
English

Lady L is an elegant 80-year-old woman who recalls her amorous life story, including past loves and lusty, scandalous adventures she has lived through.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Director: Peter UstinovGenres: Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

In Paris in the 1930s, a beautiful and impoverished Italian woman, Lady L, marries an aging, wealthy aristocrat to escape her poverty. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she falls for a handsome, charming anarchist who plans to blow up her husband's munitions factory. She finds herself torn between her luxurious lifestyle and her passionate love for the revolutionary.

Critical Reception

Lady L received a mixed to negative reception from critics upon its release. While the star power of Sophia Loren and Paul Newman, along with the premise, held some appeal, the film was often criticized for its convoluted plot, uneven tone, and perceived lack of comedic timing. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the lavish production and star performances, while others found it to be a disappointing and overly complicated farce.

What Reviewers Say

  • Sophia Loren and Paul Newman are visually appealing, but their chemistry doesn't quite ignite.

  • The film struggles to balance its comedic ambitions with a rather convoluted plot.

  • Peter Ustinov's direction results in a film that feels somewhat unfocused and less impactful than its stars suggest.

Google audience: Google user reviews are scarce for this film, but the general sentiment, where available, indicates a mixed reception, with some viewers enjoying the star power and lavish setting while others found the plot confusing and the humor lacking.

Fun Fact

The film was based on the novel of the same name by Romain Gary, who also co-wrote the screenplay.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Bill Thompson

Bill Thompson

This is a comedy that really doesn't quite work. The casting is odd and Paul Newman never really looks comfortable in his role. Sophia is gorgeous as always however, and David Niven is pretty good. Peter Ustinov wrote the screenplay, is the...