Colin Farrell and Jessica Brown Findlay ~ with their beautifully expressive eyes, subtle gestures, soft tones of voice and dialogue - make this movie an engaging, emotionally worthwhile journey. The gorgeous cinematography, the atmospheric settings, the striking characters and circumstances, the evocative, spine-tingling score ~ all combine to make a lyrical and haunting film. In viewing, it might serve you well to be something of a romantic. Able to let yourself be swept away into an imaginative premise and picturesque settings. If you know the Mark Helprin book, don't let internal comparisons distract, seeking that unachievable perfection-in-translation. Just let the movie simply be what it is. Consider both have something meaningful to offer. This is magical realism, a from-the-heart type of film. Akiva Goldsman's admitted "wink and a nod" to those who know what it is to have loved and lost and continued on. For as anyone knows who has been there ~ or imagined being there: There's no such thing as feeling you've lost once you have truly, deeply loved. You carry such abiding love with you every day of your life ~ into eternity if there be one. Love begins for Beverly Penn and Peter Lake at first sight. Though from separate worlds in upbringing, their mutual need for something true ~ and amazement at it finally arriving just as all else threatens ~ puts them immediately on equal terms where wonder and desire are concerned. Even as dark forces conspire to destroy them, they dare to take what joy is there to be had. Keep in mind, this film is predominantly about Love. Capital L. Love in the highest sense of the word. Not only the romance that occurs between the two leading characters. There's more than meets the eye if you look closer. Nothing is without meaning. Some films may be read like poetry - the smallest nuance being as vital to the whole as what's blazing on the surface. This one has "layers" of stories within the story. Some are obvious: the slips and bends of time, the impact of historic places, crossed destinies, good versus evil, mystery over certainty, the universal longing for love in a world where death should not triumph. Other aspects are far more secretive and delicate, better left to individual interpretation. Jessica Brown Findlay's lovely, ethereal voice is divinely suited for Beverly's occasional heavenly narrative. Her beauty at once innocent yet alluring, luminous and naturally elegant ~ perfect for love-at-first-sight. Colin Farrell is impossibly captivating with unbelievably emotive eyes. His moving portrayal of Peter Lake's undying love and profound grief is heart-rending and physically palpable. The two together give the story a believable sincerity and make the movie infinitely re-watchable and worthy of owning on DVD. The A-list supporting cast - Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Eva Marie Saint, William Hurt and the rest, all shine equally as bright. A person biased against poetry will miss the treasure of the most exquisite poem. The fault-finding critic will relentlessly find something to pick apart, be it in movie or book. The particular audience this movie appeals to, the open-hearted viewer, will find the light and beauty within ~ no matter what anyone else says or doesn't say. A touching, deeply memorable film. P.S. Two items critics complained about that might matter to some: 1. The fantasy elements. They are there. These are vital even in the book they also complained the movie didn't fully do justice to. It does perfect justice by the essence of the story, not by replicating every detail and character of the novel. Remember - it's a tale, a parable of sorts, given to metaphor and visual imagery. 2. It used well-known actors in cameo roles. A glimpse and then they are gone. Once again, this is a tale. As in a dream, some visions and characters don't last as long as you wish they would. They are there for a singular purpose and then they vanish. Even shorter scenes are important to the whole. Actors in those roles just as stellar and worthy of appreciation. Thankfully, true actors know this even when some critics do not.
