Enchanted April (1992), directed by Mike Newell.
Having had enough of a cold, rainy London winter in the grim years just after WW1, four women bust loose and rent an Italian villa for a month. It is a bit of paradise. Cue the magic chamber music and "It's odd how one's mind slips sideways in a place like this..."
This belongs on a small shelf labeled "Cure for the Winter Blues". Those with seasonal affective disorder need to see repressed English people letting go in Mediterranean climates. Sun, water, good food, a chance at love: it restores the soul. A Room with a View (1985) is another example.
It's really finely done; I'm always amazed how much I have enjoyed it, and I don't even have that much SAD.
The women:
Josie Lawrence -- who I don't remember seeing elsewhere -- is Lottie, the instigator of the scheme. Timid, scattered, often saying the wrong thing, in the sun she develops kindly psychic powers and trains to be a manic pixie dream girl.
Miranda Richardson is Rose, a church lady with "the face of a disappointed Madonna". Yearns to be loved.
Polly Walker (fan club!) is Lady Caroline, an unrepressed aristocrat who just wants to be left alone to do nothing. She lost someone in the War, has spent too much time being beautiful for men who just grab at her. Also yearns for love.
Joan Plowright is grumpy Mrs. Fisher, a literary figure who wants to mope and remember better days. She has a quick turnaround at San Salvatore and becomes a sweetie. Could use a little love.
The men:
Alfred Molina is Lottie's husband, all pounds, shillings and pence until he hits Italy.
Jim Broadbent is Rose's rascal husband who writes soft-porn historical romances under another name. Dodges a bullet at the villa.
Michael Kitchen is the owner of San Salvatore, a musician whose eyes were ruined by gas in the War. He stops by to say hello; good thing, too.
Happy ending for all!
My thumbnails are from a PAL DVD. The original North American disc was cropped or non-anamorphic; there is a newer edition I haven't seen which may fix that.