This was a film that I really did not want to watch. A story about a burnt pilot?? Wasn't that it? Not my thing I'm afraid!
Someone gave me the video one Christmas and relunctantly I sat down to watch it and was totally surprised! The film has now become my all-time favourite flick!
The opening scene has the voice of Hungarian folk singer Marta Sebestyn singing about love as a paintbrush paints an image from the 'Cave Of Swimmers'. The image of the swimmer gradually turns into a shadow folding over sand dunes in Africa and then finally into the shadow of an old bi-plane. (with the incredible music continuing throughout)
This is a film about love, tragedy, alienation and togetherness in war time and last but not least... memories. Made in 1996 and set in 30s/40s Africa/Italy, the film stars Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Willem Dafoe, Colin Firth and Juliette Binoche.
I love this film because I can relate to so much of it. If you've ever loved and lost - and more importantly, when you lost, it was like a door shut in your life - then you might appreciate this film.
The dialogue is absolutely superb from beginning to end! The way the Count instructs Kip to read Kipling - "imagine the speed of his pen" and the moody one-liners spat out between lovers:
"What do you hate?" "Ownership. When you leave, forget me."
You can practically taste each and every mood that the film throws at you and the soundtrack is pretty special if you enjoy oldies such as Benny Goodman, Fred Astaire and Ella Fitzgerald.
The cinematography is out of this world and you will see some incredibly beautiful sets in both Africa and Italy.
I hope you enjoy it! :~)
"You speak so many bloody languages and you never want to talk."
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Pat O'Connor - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over, 15 years and over - Starring: Geraldine O'Rawe, Colin Firth, Saffron Burrows, Minnie Driver, Chris O'Donnell
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
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
It's my favourite film too. I went to see it as soon as it came out at the cinema because of the brilliant reviews, Ralph Fiennes & Kristin Scott Thomas. For once I wasn't disappointed.
anjib 12.03.2001 18:34
I love this film too. Cast is brilliant and it is very moving
Saul_Walker 19.01.2001 17:54
Hey this is good. I feel the same way as you when I saw it. Also like you I didn't really want to see it but my friends girlfriends wanted to so I got dragged along. It's not at all a girls movie like I had thought but is very moving and brings out alot of emotion. Good review can't wait to read more.
Jan 18th, 2001
(Jan 17th, 2001)
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