A Matter of Time (film)

A Matter of Time is a 1976 Italian-American musical fantasy film directed by Vincente Minnelli. It stars Liza Minnelli and Ingrid Bergman, and features Charles Boyer. The film was the final completed directorial work of Vincente Minnelli.

The story revolves around Nina (Liza Minnelli), a young chambermaid in a Roman hotel who befriends the eccentric Contessa Sanziani (Ingrid Bergman), a once-famous actress living in reduced circumstances. The Contessa, a woman of great imagination and flair, claims to possess the ability to transfer her memories and talents to others. She begins to tutor Nina, transforming her into a more confident and sophisticated woman, ultimately helping her navigate the complexities of Roman society.

The film was plagued with production problems, including clashes between Minnelli and the producers, and was heavily cut and re-edited after its initial release. As a result, A Matter of Time received poor reviews and is not generally considered to be among Minnelli's or Bergman's best work. It is, however, noted for its lavish sets and costumes, characteristic of Minnelli's visual style, and for being a rare cinematic pairing of Liza Minnelli and Ingrid Bergman. The film explores themes of identity, transformation, memory, and the power of imagination.