Widows' Peak (1994)

Set in a small Irish village in the 1920s, a glamorous widow (Natasha Richardson) moves into town and immediately charms the village matriarch (Joan Plowright). But one of the townswomen (Mia Farrow) takes an immediate and thorough dislike to the newcomer. Directed by John Irvin (GHOST STORY), this is a delightfully wicked comedy with a bit of mystery to it. The film is fortunate to have three of the best actresses around to play the three leads. Farrow brings an obstinate feracity as the village's "old maid" with a secret past, Richardson brings a sly deviousness as the intruder and Joan Plowright is perfect as the bullying dowager, who controls the women of Widows' Peak (the section of the village where the "right" people live). The original screenplay by Hugh Leonard is witty and pungent and Ashley Rowe's lensing of the Irish landscape is heavenly. There's a lovely score by Carl Davis. With Jim Broadbent and Adrian Dunbar.