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Original poster

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.

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Forgotmycoat · 29/10/2018 21:26

I need to make a list of the amazing films recommended on here and work through them. The upcoming long winter evenings won't pass themselves.

In Bruge in particular sounds lovely. I'm not a spacey or sci-fi fan but space odyssey sounds tempting.

@excelsa I'm so envious of your interrail Italy trip. When was this, may I ask? Was the scenery markedly different from the film?

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Bea · 29/10/2018 21:52

Fishcanfly... Donavans Reef! I love that film!! Horribly dated... But there's just something lovely about it! Grin

Excelsa · 29/10/2018 22:42

@Forgotmycoat Some time ago! It was the year 2000 (I was 18). The heat and grittiness of budget Italy was probably more resonant with the Naples of Elena Ferrante than that of Ripley's. It was so hot and we had to lug massive backpacks from hostel to hostel trying to find dorm beds (no online booking!). I spent a lot of time playing my gameboy on long-distance trains. I mean, I loved it, the coast was so pretty, and Italy was so fantastically Italian, but deck-lazing Gwynnie in a bikini I was not 

muddyboots · 29/10/2018 22:49

Local Hero

Katedotness1963 · 29/10/2018 22:55

Local Hero
Restless Natives
Midnight in the garden good and evil.

That one set in Italy, where the American writer is on a bus tour and decides to buy an ancient house in Tuscany. The name escapes me at the moment.

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Forgotmycoat · 29/10/2018 23:11

@excelsa, sounds amazing. I'm tempted to book a holiday there now. Come with me?

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DesdemonasHandkerchief · 29/10/2018 23:12

Captain Correlli's Mandoline for the beautiful Kefalonia, totally agree re Diane Keaton's house in Something's Gotra Give.

blue25 · 29/10/2018 23:14

In Bruges is a great film & the setting is beautiful, but it isn't a 'lovely' film. It's violent & unpleasant in parts.

PrivateParkin · 29/10/2018 23:20

Great idea for a thread OP. I love The Talented Mr Ripley as well.

For the PP who mentioned films set in Italy, Summertime with Katharine Hepburn was filmed on location in Venice and captures it beautifully. It's a nice, romantic film, but it's the setting that's the star I think (oh and it has Rossano Brazzi as the love interest, and he's gorgeous as well).

Another film whose setting I really love is Saving Mr Banks. We'd been to
L.A. and Disneyland not long before I'd seen it so that made it even better. L.A. looks fab in it, as does the cherry tree-lined street where she lives in London.

I also love the way the Paddington films depict London.

Right I'll stop now...

ohnothanks · 29/10/2018 23:23

Someone upthread said Brokeback Mountain... completely agree. Filmed in Alberta I think. I dont agree that it's a boring film though. I think it's so moving. The soundtrack is also great.

Excelsa · 29/10/2018 23:38

@Forgotmycoat Pronto!

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 29/10/2018 23:42

A fluffy 90s Rom com called Only You.
Rewatched many times for the beauty of Venice, Rome, Positano.... and Robert Downey Jr

BagelGoesWalking · 30/10/2018 00:02

Yy to Stealing Beauty and similarly Call Me By Your Name.
Surprised no one has said Legends of the Fall, some beautiful landscapes. Also the River Wild isn't bad.

ginghambox · 30/10/2018 00:11

Any of the Resident Evil films.

reasonsforwaiting · 30/10/2018 00:14

Jean de Florette, and the sequel, Manon des Sources. Such a sad storyline set in beautiful Provencal.

chartreuse · 30/10/2018 00:29

A Room with a View, I came out of the cinema and bought a guide book and inter rail ticket. I couldn't find a friend who wanted to go to Italy, so I went by myself, spent a month in northern Italy. Loved every second of it. Florence is still my favourite city and I go back as often as I can. I always make sure that I have a view of the Arno when I stay there!

Mum2OneTeen · 30/10/2018 00:51

Two television shows, Vera and Shetland. Such moody landscapes & quite different to where I live (rural Australia)

AhhhhThatsBass · 30/10/2018 00:52

A River Runs Though It (bonus: Brad Pitt at his peak)
Paradise (Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith and a young Elijah Wood)

Mum2OneTeen · 30/10/2018 00:54

Oops, you wanted films! I'd have to say The Piano with its NZ isolated landscapes.

Butterymuffin · 30/10/2018 01:14

Also love In Bruges, though as blue25 says it's not a picturesquefilm at all in terms of the plot! Very good though.

I like the driving scenery of the Bourne Identity too.

QueenOfTheAndals · 30/10/2018 08:24

Any Nancy Myers film. Pure interior design/decoration porn!

JayDot500 · 30/10/2018 09:52

The Way (great film and amazing scenes)
Amelie
Pride and Prejudice (BBC)
Japanese films are generally good for scenery

Helplessfeeling · 30/10/2018 10:36

The Sound Of Music, the mountain scenes and the on location scenes in Salzburg are beautiful!

A580Hojas · 30/10/2018 13:33

Oh yes I agree on The Sound of Music! Wonderful.

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Forgotmycoat · 30/10/2018 15:12

Thanks for the warning re In Bruge. I'm debating whether to watch or not now.

@mum2oneteen tv shows are fine!!

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