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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Which films do you watch for the setting alone?

124 replies

Forgotmycoat · 28/10/2018 22:49

Posting here for traffic.

The film I've watched over and over again for the setting alone is The Talented Mr Ripley. It's set in late 50s Italy and it's just breathtaking. It's partly to do with nostalgia for a time when life seemed simpler. I use the term nostalgia here loosely as I'm in my 30s. I feel a huge sense of loss for the slow pace of life depicted, the stunning unspoilt scenery and sunshine that oozes out of every frame. It's heart breaking to think that particular era will never return.

The film itself is fantastic, but every time I watch it I hardly focus on the storyline as I'm too busy drinking in the scenery.

OP posts:
UpstartCrow · 28/10/2018 23:41

Prometheus, I can accept I'm on my own for that one. But its breathtaking. The opening scenes and the ship landing on the planet are worth watching on their own.

GrumpyOldMare · 28/10/2018 23:43

Remains of the day.
I have a huge soft spot for that film - the hotel,pier and Winter Gardens are in my home town,I stood and watched the great Sir Anthony filming outside the hotel.
That man has the loveliest eyes and smile,and his voice I could listen to all day.

ReanimatedSGB · 28/10/2018 23:46

In a general way I love watching films made in the 70s because I get all excited over the clothes and the background music. And anything old that was set in London, particularly, because I like seeing what familiar places looked like decades ago.
Specifically, though: Betty Blue. Horrible, stupid, misogynistic bullshit, but I love the Frenchness of the French settings.

thenightsky · 28/10/2018 23:48

I came on to post The Talented Mr Ripley! Grin

For the same reasons as you OP.

SealSong · 28/10/2018 23:51

Dr Zhivago

BeatriceJoanna · 29/10/2018 00:41

I can't think of any films but one or two television programmes.

I used to watch Monarch of the Glen pretty much just for the scenery.

And there was a rather bad tv film with Angus Deayton and Simone Lahbib called Heartless which I mostly watch just because of where it's set. Although it does feature the wonderful Edith MacArthur who was always worth watching.
Also watched Rosemary and Thyme not for the dire plots but because they (R&T) mostly used to stay in big posh houses with exceptionally comfortable looking beds.

Somewhat obsessed with Italy, so if anyone can recommend anymore must see films I'd be very grateful!
Try Pane e Tulipane Mostly set in Venice - it's a lovely film.

Dontfeellikeaskeleton · 29/10/2018 00:44

A Walk in the Woods.

tobee · 29/10/2018 01:23

Gosford Park
Withnail and I
To Have and Have Not
Backroom Boy

I watch them for other reasons too.

SoleBizzz · 29/10/2018 01:33

The Ladies of Lavender

That cottage by the sea..

Onslow · 29/10/2018 02:10

Stealing Beauty. Angsty film but love that swimming pool and house.

JustJoinedRightNow · 29/10/2018 02:19

I came on to type Home Alone and the Holiday! Think I’ve got home envy!

SadieContrary · 29/10/2018 02:21

The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. The whole movie is just so glam

ClenchQueen · 29/10/2018 02:25

The English Patient. Makes everything look beautiful, even awful situations.

Starlive23 · 29/10/2018 02:30

Romeo & Juliet
What Dreams may Come
Hocus Pocus

Plus:
Dawson's Creek
Smallville

Even though they are obviously TV series, I could have happily grown up in any of those fictional towns!

tobee · 29/10/2018 02:43

Tv would be Big Little Lies!

epicclusterfuck · 29/10/2018 03:54

Local Hero
Room with a view
Midnight in Paris
Out of Africa
Letters to Juliet
The fox and the child (French film set in France and Italy)
Alamar (Mexican/Italian)

cafenoirbiscuit · 29/10/2018 04:22

The Proposal for Alaskan beauty
It’s Complicated for their lifestyle

FurryDice · 29/10/2018 04:29

The Shining for the Overlook Hotel. One, it’s a hotel and I love films set in hotels. Two, it’s deserted and I love solitude. Add everything else - the aesthetics, the actors and the score and bingo. You have my perfect film.

Thank you for writing it, Stephen King, but thank you for actualising it, Stanley Kubrick.*

  • and I know SK hated SK’s - ooh, never noticed before they have the same initials; how bizarre - vision, but it’s perfect for me, so apologies to the first SK.
FurryDice · 29/10/2018 04:32

Oh, and I’ve agreed with every post on here except for Twilight, and Avatar.

blackjeans · 29/10/2018 04:39

Into the wild - stunning photography
Local hero - love Scotland
Room with a view
Out of Africa
The Constant Gardener
Blood Diamond
The Big Chill - for the house

MaggieAndHopey · 29/10/2018 04:45

Weirdly, Avatar is the only film I can think of that I've watched just for the setting alone, as the plot is so shit! I watched it twice - in 3D at the cinema, I wouldn't bother with it at home.

There are plenty of other beautiful looking films I can think of but they all have other things that recommend them too.

mathanxiety · 29/10/2018 04:50

Hannah and Her Sisters - an apartment to die for.
Moonstruck - another great interior.
Fanny and Alexander - interiors again.
The Third Man - Vienna in ruins at the end of WW2. The city is almost a character in the film in and of itself.
In Bruges - I love Bruges and also Antwerp.

steff13 · 29/10/2018 06:03

You've Got Mail. I love the picture they paint of New York.

MargotLovedTom1 · 29/10/2018 06:59

Oh yes, completely agree with films which portray NY like that. Also Serendipity and One Fine Day.

Coco was just visually breathtaking.

MargotLovedTom1 · 29/10/2018 07:01

Also Calendar Girls for the lovely old-fashioned Englishness of the setting.

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