Synopsis: Based on the Tennessee Williams' novella and set in post-war Italy, the film tells the story of widowed, aging American actress Karen Stone and her affair with a young Italian gigolo. This drama features an award-winning cast that includes Helen Mirren ("Gosford Park," "The Madness of King George"), Olivier Martinez ("Unfaithful," "Before Night Falls"), Anne Bancroft ("Agnes of God," "The Graduate") with Brian Dennehy ("A Season on the Brink," SHOWTIME's ARTHUR MILLER'S DEATH OF A SALESMAN).

Karen Stone (Helen Mirren), a middle-aged Broadway star, is incongruously cast by her devoted, doting husband and manager Tom (Brian Dennehy), as the female lead in "Romeo and Juliet." Unforgiving reviews and Tom's delicate health persuade her to quit the New York stage and go to Rome for a holiday. While in Rome, Tom suddenly dies of a heart attack and Karen is left in a strange country alone.

At a crossroads in her life, Karen decides to stay in the "eternal city" to scatter his ashes and consider her future. Responding to a card of condolence, she meets with the Contessa (Anne Bancroft), a charming and cunning woman who presides over a party of handsome young men, grooming them for introduction to wealthy widows.

The Contessa introduces Karen to a series of young men, one of whom is Count Paolo di Leo (Olivier Martinez), a young Italian of captivating beauty and the Contessa's most prized asset. Karen is clearly taken with him, but does not pursue him. However, the Contessa has targeted Karen for her potential material rewards and a week later, Paolo telephones Karen to invite her for dinner.

Karen begins seeing Paolo and starts to fall for him, at first feeling that he genuinely cares for her - but she disappointedly believes the real basis of his attraction is financial when Paolo asks for a large sum of money to help a friend in crisis. But Paolo has unlocked Karen's sexuality and in a moment of unguarded honesty, she admits to a friend that she has become obsessed with him.

Badgered by the Contessa, Paolo's interest begins to turn cold, then cruel. The fate of the relationship is sealed by a visit to Karen's apartment by a young American actress in the company of the Contessa and Paolo. They argue viciously. At first defiant, then humiliated, Karen instructs them to leave. Paolo registers a hint of regret, but it is too late. Karen feels she has lost complete control and drifts into a world of utter chaos.

First adapted for the screen in 1961 by Warner Bros.. with Vivien Leigh as Karen Stone and Warren Beatty as Paolo, the 1950 novella The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone was famed playwright Tennessee Williams' first foray into fiction. The original film adaptation also starred Jill St. John and Lotte Lenya, who received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar® nomination for her performance as the Contessa.

The Cast:
Victor Alfieri as Lorenzo
Roger Allam as Christopher
Ángel Alonso as Guido
Anne Bancroft as The Contessa
Jane Bertish as Karen's Secretary
Suzanne Bertish as Julia
Frank Crudele as Peppo
Brian Dennehy as Tom Stone
Dona Granata as Mama Pepisco
Sara James as Hairdresser
Salvatore Lazzaro as Barber
Jack Lynch as Reporter
Genevieve Mackenzie as Maid
Olivier Martinez as Paolo di Lio
Helen Mirren as Karen Stone
Tara Lynne O'Neill as Angel Hunter
Morgan O'Sullivan as Reporter
Rodrigo Santoro as Young Man
Riccardo Sardonè as Marco
Rebecca Smith as Stewardess

Production Credits:
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS' THE ROMAN SPRING OF MRS. STONE is executive produced by Hilary Heath ("Real Stories of the Highway Patrol," "Frenchman's Creek," "Rebecca") from a screenplay by Martin Sherman ("Bent," "Indian Summer"). Emmy nominee Robert Allan Ackerman ("Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows") directs.