In 2001, this was one of the movies that raised expectations but didn’t do well. I think it didn’t even make it to India. The plot made me curious and I’ve been wanting to catch it for Nicolas Cage and I recently did on TV.
The story is set in the backdrop of the World War II (at its fag end?). The place is a small village in Greece occupied by Italians, with Germans entering later. As in many war movies, the events of the war direct the course that the lead characters’ lives take. A doctor’s daughter, engaged to a local guy, falls in love with the Italian captain. The ’adultery’ and the war setting do remind one of The English Patient.
The fascinating part was the different aspects the movie covered in comparison to others of this genre. In addition to some new information (atleast to me) on WWII, the undercurrent was the light thrown on European culture itself. It was interesting to know how Greeks live and how they relate to the Italians and so on.
The movie itself is strictly ’okey-dokey’, hardly rising above average. The pace is just fine with no room for boredom. The formulaic dance and love scenes are all there. The violence is rightly kept to a minimum.
Cage, surprisingly, is not the focus of the movie. Also, he doesn’t try to shift the attention of the audience to himself. He is subdued and doesn’t have much success as an Italian. Cruz and Hurt receive more screen-time possibly. The latter is a revelation and this character will stay in your mind for a long time. Cruz passes off well as a Greek girl and is impressive throughout. The supporting cast too have done well.
Art direction, cinematography, costumes, make-up, etc. are just as you would expect of any Hollywood movie. The background score and especially the mandolin pieces are enjoyable. Madden’s capabilities comes through in the way he has handled big stars, but he probably needed a screenplay that would have taken the movie to the next level.
Bottom-line: Good time-pass with some interesting insights.
Category: Drama / Romance / War
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, John Hurt
Music: Stephen Warbeck
Direction: John Madden