Summer's Lease
Fortysomething wife and mother Molly Pargeter leads a stable but dull life in 1980s West London. She feels overweight and there is no passion in her relationship with her husband Hugh, who is secretly seeing another woman. For most of her life, Molly has found escape in detective novels and art books, especially on 15th-century Italian fresco painter Piero Della Francesca. Suddenly, in the small ads, she spots the details of a Tuscany villa to let, and after a viewing, she takes it for holiday.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy and somewhat eccentric archaeologist, a widower, travels to the Italian countryside for the summer, intending to relax and reconnect with his estranged daughter. However, his peaceful retreat is disrupted by a series of unsettling events and a growing sense of unease. As he delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding his new surroundings, he uncovers dark secrets that challenge his perceptions of the past and present.
Critical Reception
Summer's Lease received generally positive reviews, particularly for its atmospheric setting, the performances of its veteran cast, and its slow-burn mystery. Critics appreciated its blend of personal drama and suspense, though some found the pacing occasionally too deliberate.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its elegant direction and sophisticated tone.
- The performances, especially from veteran actors, were a highlight.
- The mystery element was considered intriguing but sometimes overshadowed by the character drama.
Google audience: Audience reception data is not readily available for this specific miniseries.
Fun Fact
The miniseries was based on the 1986 novel of the same name by John Mortimer, who also wrote the screenplay.
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