Memoir of the lives of a family growing up on a post World War I British estate headed up by a strong disciplinarian (Rosemary Harris), her daughter (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), her inventor husband (Colin Firth), their ten year old son (Robbie Norman), and his older sister (Kelly MacDonald). Through the household comes a number of suitors hoping to impress the young woman, including an aviator (Tcheky Karyo). When the elder woman's son (Malcolm MacDowell) shows up at the estate with his French maid (Irene Jacob), everything gets thrown into turmoil. The young boy takes a sudden interest in her sexual allure and his father is disturbed by his own non-Victorian feelings.
Synopsis: Prewar Scottish household is turned upside down by arrival of uncle's beautiful young fiancee in sentimental coming-of-age comedy-drama. Melodrama sits uneasily with comic aspects, but gentle humor, engaging performances delight Brit-drama fans.