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John
Sinclair reviews Captain Corelli's Mandolin
One
of my favourite romantic comedies is Moonstruck which
also stars Nicholas Cage and therefore I was prepared
to once again witness the lighter side of the actor,
who is better known for his action adventures ...
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However
in this film I was somewhat sceptical of his Italian accent,
and amused by at the sight of him singing opera! Cage plays
Captain Antonio Corelli who’s part of the Italian presence
on the once tranquil Greek Island of Cephalonia in World
War 2, but he’s seen no action and is more at home playing
his mandolin, and singing well known opera’s with his battalion
buddies. Doesn't sound too exciting does it?
But this
is a warm, funny and captivating movie that draws you into the
characters, and benefits from the wonderful location. John Hurt
is an immediate presence as the village doctor, and it his daughter
Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) who provides the love interest.
She becomes engaged to a local man who goes off to fight, and
once Corelli is sent to live with the family the love triangle
begins to unfold. There’s action too, as the Italians learn
of Mussolini’s surrender, and the Germans become the Greeks
captors, and that of the disillusioned Italians.
One battle scene is brilliantly observed, with the much more
organised Germans quickly overwhelming the local resistance.
There’s also the interesting conflict that one German officer
faces when after building a relationship with the Italian’s
he’s forced to deal with them as enemies.
I’d only
heard about this film two days before seeing it, and found it
to be delightful…Cage was as watch able as ever despite the
accent, and Cruz was stunning as she dealt with the problem
of choosing between the two men in her life.
Romantics will enjoy the ending, although I’m told the novel
on which the film is based by Louis de Bernieres ends less so
… but then this is feel good Hollywood fare, and I for one would
forgive them on this occasion. |
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