Ladies in Black

Utterly charming and captivating period piece follows the template of the 'coming-of-age' drama but adds some interesting subtext about women's roles in the 50s; while the story-telling style is a little disconcerting at first, Beresford manages a successful combining of Taylor and Rice's simultaneous awakenings, glued by a wonderfully observed performance by Ormond as mentor to both (though the entire cast, especially Hazlehurst and Jacobson, is fabulous). A truly delightful treat!

Julia Ormond steals the show but her stellar performance cannot carry the whole film. Magda (Julia) drinking tea is more compelling that any of these ladies' life altering experiences.