Lake Como vies with Vanessa Redgrave as the formidable main attractions of this elegantly made, charming version of a good old-fashioned H E Bates tale. In the slim but affecting yarn, set in 1937, Redgrave goes on holiday to an idyllic spot in Italy and falls in love with Major Edward Fox, after clashing with young American nanny Uma Thurman. Those who remember other movies of Bates's work, such as Dulcima and The Triple Echo, will know the kind of thing to expect - a bit of frustrated sexual tension, a touch of nostalgic old-style atmosphere, some sharp dialogue and a quiver of passion above a few stiff upper-lips, all set against a shimmering backdrop. The Brit star duo are past masters of this kind of thing and it's hard for them to put a foot wrong, though an uncomfortable Thurman stumbles all too easily. Happily, Alida Valli, Hitchcock and Visconti's star from years ago, leads the home team of Italians.

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