"While vacationing on Lake Como in pre-World War II Italy, a middle-aged English woman (Vanessa Redgrave) develops an interest in a fellow guest, a stuffy major in the British army (Edward Fox). Before she can make her move, the arrival of a young and attractive nanny (Uma Thurman) at the resort complicates her plans and results in a rivalry. To make the major jealous, the older woman flirts with a younger man, who quickly develops a crush on her."