Up at the Villa

Up at the Villa

Year: 2000

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Philip Haas

Drama

In the Italian countryside, recently widowed Mary Panton finds unexpected attention from a wealthy diplomat. As she adjusts to her new circumstances, she meets Rowley Flint, an American living abroad, and a passionate affair begins. This forbidden romance threatens to disrupt the diplomat's plans and expose secrets within Mary's carefully ordered world.

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Timeline – Up at the Villa (2000)

Trace every key event in Up at the Villa (2000) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Mary Panton's Arrival

Mary Panton arrives at her affluent friends' villa just outside Florence, Italy, following the recent death of her husband. The opulence of the villa contrasts sharply with her deep sense of loss and isolation.

1938 Villa near Florence, Italy
2

Proposal from Sir Edgar Swift

The day after a gathering celebrating the Munich Agreement, Sir Edgar Swift unexpectedly proposes to Mary. Though surprised, Mary asks for time to consider his offer, which he graciously accepts, planning a return from Rome.

3

The Soirée at Princess San Ferdinando's

That evening, Mary attends a lavish soirée hosted by her friend, the Princess San Ferdinando. During the event, an incompetent violinist is dismissed, and Mary shows kindness by giving him a generous tip.

Princess San Ferdinando's Villa
4

Encounter with Rowley Flint

At the soirée, Mary meets the charming but married American, Rowley Flint. He offers her a ride home, and they stop at a quaint church where Mary opens up about her traumatic past.

Quaint Church
5

Mary's Confession

During their ride, Mary reveals the pain of her previous marriage to an abusive alcoholic who died tragically. This moment creates a palpable tension, leading to Rowley's attempted kiss, which Mary rebuffs vehemently.

On the way home
6

Mary Invites Karl for Dinner

Feeling compassion for a starving Austrian refugee named Karl Richter, Mary invites him to dinner. Their emotionally charged evening culminates in an intimate moment, despite Mary knowing he must leave the following morning.

Mary's Villa
7

Meeting with English Expatriates

Mary attends a meeting with English expatriates and local authorities, where Fascist official Beppino Leopardi insists they register their stay in Italy. The tense atmosphere underscores the precarious position of foreigners in the country.

Local Authority Office
8

Chaos After Karl's Arrival

That night, Karl breaks into Mary's room confessing his love for her. When Mary admits her previous actions were driven by pity, Karl reacts violently, culminating in a tragic confrontation and his subsequent suicide.

Mary's Room
9

Covering Up the Incident

In desperation, Mary enlists Rowley to help conceal Karl's death. They dispose of his body in the woods, a frantic and tense moment that highlights Mary's fear of being caught in a scandal.

Woods
10

Rowley's Arrest

Mary's relief is short-lived when Leopardi informs her of Rowley's arrest due to possession of an unregistered firearm. Faced with the risk of losing both Rowley and Edgar, Mary must act quickly to protect them.

11

Blackmailing Leopardi

Determined to help Rowley, Mary seeks out Princess San Ferdinando and successfully gets her intoxicated. Under the influence, the Princess divulges blackmailing information that could turn the tide in Mary’s favor.

Villa of Princess San Ferdinando
12

Securing Rowley’s Release

Mary confronts Leopardi with incriminating documents, leveraging them to secure Rowley's release from custody. Although furious, Leopardi has no choice but to comply with her demands.

Leopardi's Office
13

Confession to Rowley

After Rowley's release, Mary admits her feelings for him, yet they both recognize the impossibility of their situation. This moment of vulnerability leads to a poignant farewell as they decide to part ways for the moment.

14

Mary's Heart-Wrenching Decision

Mary meets with Sir Edgar, where she confesses her recent tumultuous experiences. Although Edgar remains hopeful for a relationship, Mary ultimately declines his marriage proposal, recognizing her lack of love for him.

15

Departure to London

As Mary prepares to leave for London, she is surprised to find Rowley joining her on the train. They decide to travel to Paris together, hinting at a new beginning amidst the uncertainties of life.

Train Station

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 11:47

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Up at the Villa Summary

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Up at the Villa Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Up at the Villa

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Up at the Villa

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