It is my understanding from the novel that the character Maggie Smith plays is living in an illusion, and we are not supposed to believe her interpretations of events. The books is about someone who lives fictions, and thus her illusions are the source of her creative energy. It questions reality.
However, the HBO adaption seems to intend for us to believe her interpretations of events literally. Thus the plot makes no sense, especially the ending. And it has no theme, unless it is that life in a house in Umbria is just lovely and filled with sunshine and people can overcome their unhappy beginnings with love, forebearance and good Italian cooking.
However, the HBO adaption seems to intend for us to believe her interpretations of events literally. Thus the plot makes no sense, especially the ending. And it has no theme, unless it is that life in a house in Umbria is just lovely and filled with sunshine and people can overcome their unhappy beginnings with love, forebearance and good Italian cooking.