Timothy Spall (Auf Weidershen Pet, Harry Potter), and his son Rafe Spall (Hot Fuzz, The Chatterley Affair), appear together for the first time alongside Sinead Cusack, Elizabeth McGovern and an all-star ensemble cast.
Florence 1922. Alone and independent, Lucy (Elaine Cassidy) recalls her experience ten years earlier when, chaperoned by her cousin Charlotte, she arrives at Pensione Bertolini looking for Italian adventure. Instead she finds herself in a safe haven for English tourists including spinsters, clergymen -- plus the outspoken socialist Mr Emerson and his dashing son George. They offer up their room with a view to the newcomers. Despite Charlotte's disapproval Lucy gradually finds herself drawn to the Emersons, and in an unguarded moment, George passionately kisses Lucy. Horrified, Charlotte whisks her off to Rome, into the arms of a more appropriate gentleman. Lucy tries to forget her passionate kiss with George and returns home to England engaged to the elegant aristocrat Cecil Vyse (Lawrence Fox - Lewis, Becoming Jane). However, the Emerson's unexpected arrival in Lucy's village upset her plans; now she must make a choice between the status and security she would have with Cecil or the passionate uncertainty offered by George.