Giving opinions for several years and showing like a fine vintage
Giving opinions for several years and showing like a fine vintage
Member since:11.07.2000
Reviews:625
Members who trust:55
Captain Corelli's Mandolin is based on a best-selling novel and is directed by John Madden (Shakespeare In Love).
On a greek island life is wonderful with a big sense of community where everybody lives in peace. Backed by beautiful scenery on a clifftop lives Doctor Iannis (John Hurt) and his plain but alluring daughter Pelagia (Penelope Cruz). Her affections are won by a simple young fisherman Mandras (Christian Bale) who has plans to marry her.
Then world war II hits the island and the peaceful community is upset by the invasion of the Italian armies. Some of the higher ranking officers stay at the homes of the islanders. One captain corelli (Nic Cage) arrives at the home of Iannis and Pelagia and meets some hostility. Meanwhile Mandras is away fighting the war. Eventually romance blooms between Corelli and Pelagia which leaves Mandras out in the cold. All the while the war rages on and things get hostile.
From the look of the trailers you get the impression that this is an epic love story. Yes it's a love story on paper but it's far from epic. The problem is that the main romance happens on the spur of the moment with no real hints before hand when Pelagia seems distant.
Also the film is very lightweight and quite intent on showing you nice scenery as the story ambles along. The main problem is that the film is too long and has some unnecessary scenes that should have been cut for pacing. I found myself looking at my watch on a few occasions and the ending is a bit drawn out when you just want closure.
Also according to the film the italian soldiers couldn't really care less about the war and are more content drinking wine and holding constant sing songs. It gets a bit tiring in the end, you just wish one of them would actually take things seriously
On the plus side the acting is quite solid and the accents are nailed by the main cast. Hurt and Bale in particular easily pass as Greek. Cage is good but sometimes his outlandish personality gets in the way. Near the beginning he comes across as italian version of Castor Troy. The cinematography by Oscar winner John Toll is stunning and the film's real highlight.
At the end of the day this film is like a good pasta dish. It's good to look at, tastes good but at the end you're left wanting more-sadly in this case you don't get it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Good op. Now about the Italian soldiers not caring about the war and been more content with drinking wine and singing songs is true and you can include having sex in the list. This is because they didn’t want to be there. In that respect I suppose the film is true to the facts.
martinprice 17.05.2001 20:34
Helpful op.as we have a young family we don't get to the cinema as much as we would like so its useful to have reviews so we can make a choice
eca99ajm 09.05.2001 23:13
Mmmmmmmmmmm......Christian Bale....*Anna drools on the keyboard* Sorry, getting distracted there! Excellent op! Keep it up! Anna
WhileCaptain Corelli's Mandolinmay frustrate admirers of Louis de Bernières' densely ... more
detailed novel, it provesShakespeare in Lovedirector John Madden is a worthy craftsman of literary films. It's a tastefully old-fashioned adaptation, preserving the no...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
WhileCaptain Corelli's Mandolinmay frustrate admirers of Louis de Bernières' densely ... more
detailed novel, it provesShakespeare in Lovedirector John Madden is a worthy craftsman of literary films. It's a tastefully old-fashioned adaptation, preserving the no...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
With memorable performances from Nicolas Cage (Gone In 60 Seconds, Leaving Las Vegas) and ... more
Penelope Cruz (Blow, All The Pretty Horses), acclaimed director John Madden (Shakespeare In Love) creates breathtaking imagery set amid the Italian occupation of ...
In keeping with Hollywood's time-honored tradition of turning celebrated novels into ... more
cinematic spectacles director John Madden brings Louis de Berniere's acclaimed 1994 work 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' to life. Set on the Greek island of Cephalon...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: The fantastic sceneries, a chance to see Nicholas cage attempt an Italian accent. Disadvantages: A film with qualities that aren't particularly special
![Captain Corelli's Mandolin [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78528381.jpg "Captain Corelli's Mandolin [DVD] [2001]")
May 9th, 2001
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