‘WIDOWS PEAK’: AN UNEXPECTED PERIOD DRAMA WITH MYSTERY
A drama set between the World Wars and produced in the 90s, Widows Peak is set in a quaint little Irish town and has a wonderful cast.
Widows Peak (1994) Film Review
In the Irish countryside, there’s a small town that is unique. So much so its residents are made up of widows left quite alone in the aftermath of the first World War. The self-appointed leader and wealthy lady of this group is Mrs. Doyle-Counihan (Joan Plowright). She also keeps their village this way with rare exceptions. Into their well ordered world arrives Mrs. Edwina Broome (Natasha Richardson), a sassy young woman who, fortunately for her, also happens to be a widow. She immediately captures the eye of bachelor Godfrey Doyle-Counihan (Adrian Dunbar), the well-loved and only son of the village’s lady.
Placing her stamp of approval on this match, things get messy when Edwina and townswoman Katherine O’Hare (Mia Farrow) begin to feud. This uncovers unexpected secrets and sets the otherwise peaceful village on edge.
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‘WIDOWS PEAK’: AN UNEXPECTED PERIOD DRAMA WITH MYSTERY. Joan Plowright and Natasha Richardson star in this 1994 #PeriodDrama with #MiaFarrow. #Movies #MovieReview #VintageReview Share on X
This is one of those period dramas that I never see mentioned, which means on a list I’d curate it would be put on an underrated list. It’s a slow moving drama and doesn’t really give us much to work with, which is intentional so that the ending is what hooks us. Beyond its flaws, Widows Peak is fun. It starts off as a kind of Mean Girls like story set in the 30s and morphs into a sort of mystery. Reviewing it is a challenge because of this, and spoilers aren’t the intention.
The cast list boasts all kinds of talent spanning generations. From Jane Eyre’s Joan Plowright to the late Natasha Richardson, whom millennials will know from The Parent Trap. Though she did appear in other period drama, it’s good to see Richardson in this role where she gets to wear more than one stunning costume ensemble. Dominating this film is, obviously, the ladies so if you like seeing a more varied group of characters, then this one might not be for you.
Anyone who enjoys period titles from this era (think something like Enchanted April) will find Widows Peak good. Like I said, it does move slowly which I think the script could have done better, but regardless, there is still something about the film that, oddly, keeps us invested and quite curious!
You can stream, at publication, Widows Peak with Plex and Tubi; or rent/purchase digitally on places like Prime Video
Photos: Rank
Content: nothing much to note. There is some minor sexual innuendo and suggestive remarks. A man and woman make out once or twice. The film rates PG.
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