American Friends
American Friends

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- 64/100 based on 837 votes

Reverend Francis Ashby (Sir Michael Palin), a senior Oxford don on vacation alone in the Alps, meets vacationing American Miss Caroline Hartley (Connie Booth) and her companion Miss Elinor Hartley (Trini Alvarado), the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company, particularly that of Elinor, and both of the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not all... (Full plot summary below)

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Actors in American Friends:

Michael Palin
Trini Alvarado
Connie Booth
Alfred Molina
Bryan Pringle
Jonathan Firth

Full Plot Details

Reverend Francis Ashby (Sir Michael Palin), a senior Oxford don on vacation alone in the Alps, meets vacationing American Miss Caroline Hartley (Connie Booth) and her companion Miss Elinor Hartley (Trini Alvarado), the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company, particularly that of Elinor, and both of the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not allowed in the College grounds, let alone the rooms. Indeed any liaison, however innocent, is frowned on by the upstanding Fellows.

Review & Comments

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Movie Reviews

Spirituality and Practice - 4/10 by Frederic and Mary Ann BrussatDelightful portrait of cross-cultural love that speaks softly but carries a lingering scent.
User Review - 8/10 by Sian JInitially, I watched this film because I'm a great fan of Mr. Palin (in or outside of Monty Python projects). I found that there was far more to keep me interested than just the man. The film is sweet and subtle, focused on a heart-wrenchingly tense love story, made all the more moving for the Victorian restraint surrounding it. Maybe American Friends isn't the most perfect or most cinematic of films, and the main reason I love it is because it spoke to me on a personal level, but it is a touching story that deserved to be recorded.
User Review - 8/10 by Phil RA film I would probably never have seen if it wasn't for the special Michael Palin introduced screening at The BIFF. One I'm glad I did though. Worth tracking down.
User Review - 6/10 by Marian S''We will achieve nothing as a species if we cannot adapt.'' Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline and her companion Elinor, the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company together, particularly that of Elinor, and both the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not allowed in the College grounds, let alone the rooms. Indeed any liaison, however innocent, is frowned on. Michael Palin: Reverend Francis Ashby Alfred Molina: Oliver Syme Susan Denaker: Mrs. Cantrell American Friends is a movie that tells of a bygone era that isn't as long as it seems. The difference in social ideals compared today is always fascinating. Michael Palin has proven before he is more than a comedian from seeing Brazil to a Fish Called Wanda. American Friends is also an example indeed. Loved the scientific side of life in the lectures. Alfred Molina gives a varied performance even having a scruffy beard to boot. On a whole the film does have a feel of being something of TV standing as opposed to something of grandeur in filming. Granted I'm an Englishman that enjoys his period flicks and loves history so it gains more prestige with me for its wonderful costumes and quaint locations. A simple tale of love which i admit has been done before. A good effort. Education in love
User Review - 6/10 by Sherry RDepending on your degree of cynicism, you could call "American Friends" a sweet, pastoral romance or just an arthouse rehash of the "Grease" plot (two lovers meet on vacation but have problems when back in their usual circles). Most people (including me) will seek out this film because Monty Python's Michael Palin is the star and co-writer. The script is based on his own great-grandfather's experiences. But don't be fooled -- despite the presence of Palin and Connie Booth ("Fawlty Towers"), "American Friends" has few, if any, laughs. Yet both actors are quite solid in these dramatic roles. The setting is Victorian times, the era of polite repression and woolly sideburns. Palin is Reverend Francis Ashby, an Oxford administrator poised to take over the university from its dying, elderly chancellor. All is well until he visits the Swiss Alps and meets pretty Elinor (Trini Alvarado) and her spinster aunt (Booth). Realizing he could violate his school's ferocious moral code, he ducks out early and returns home. But when Elinor and Caroline unexpectedly turn up at Oxford, his feelings resurface and a scandal threatens. The cast also features Alfred Molina as Ashby's devious rival, along with many other actors faced with temporary shaving issues. "American Friends" looks wonderful with its sparkling sunlight, mountain scenery and Oxford's stately architecture. But the story is too mild, and the age difference between the leads is awkward. Palin is 24 years older than Alvarado, and the gap between their characters is even wider. We're supposed to root for their love, but this is difficult when Francis is in his late forties and ingenue Elinor seems barely legal.
User Review - 6/10 by Alexander C''We will achieve nothing as a species if we cannot adapt.'' Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline and her companion Elinor, the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company together, particularly that of Elinor, and both the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not allowed in the College grounds, let alone the rooms. Indeed any liaison, however innocent, is frowned on. Michael Palin: Reverend Francis Ashby Alfred Molina: Oliver Syme Susan Denaker: Mrs. Cantrell American Friends is a movie that tells of a bygone era that isn't as long as it seems. The difference in social ideals compared today is always fascinating. Michael Palin has proven before he is more than a comedian from seeing Brazil to a Fish Called Wanda. American Friends is also an example indeed. Loved the scientific side of life in the lectures. Alfred Molina gives a varied performance even having a scruffy beard to boot. On a whole the film does have a feel of being something of TV standing as opposed to something of grandeur in filming. Granted I'm an Englishman that enjoys his period flicks and loves history so it gains more prestige with me for its wonderful costumes and quaint locations. A simple tale of love which i admit has been done before. A good effort. Education in love
User Review - 4/10 by Katja AMichael Palinin omaan sukuhistoriaan perustuva herttainen romanttinen pukudraama, joka kuitenkin lopulta jää vähän laimeaksi.
User Review - 4/10 by Paul DRather dull period comedy, from Michael Palin's standards this should have been a lot better.

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