There is something about Universals Studio’s new love story “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” that makes the viewer feel weird inside.
Whether it’s the romantic setting of the exotic Greek isle, or the fact that it’s a love story directed by a man named John Madden, “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” challenges even the most avid romantic to contemplate the hard realities of love.
Madden, the director of “Shakespeare in Love” (not the Madden of football fame) starts his story on the island of Ceohallonia in 1941. Beautiful, yet volatile due to earthquakes, Ceohallonia is home to Dr. Iannis and his strikingly beautiful daughter Pelagia (John Hurt and Penelope Cruz).
Dr. Iannis, who is training Pelagia to follow in his footsteps as a doctor disapproves of his daughter’s impending engagement to a local fisherman named Mandras (Christian Bale). Offering no dowry, Dr. Iannis reluctantly concedes to his daughter’s wishes when Greece is suddenly invaded by the Italian regime of Benito Mussolini.
Anxious to defend his homeland, Mandras leaves for war, promising Pelagia he will return to marry her.
Faithfully writing Mandras, Pelagia fears for her lover’s condition when several months pass without his response.
Matters only complicate when Italian and Nazi forces occupy Ceohallonia. Forced to house the opera singing Italian officer, Antonio Corelli (Nicholas Cage) Dr. Iannis an Pelagia make no bones about their malcontent with the Italian occupation.
Slowly but surely Corelli and the rest of the lighthearted Italians, who seem more interested in partying then fighting, end up winning over some of the citizens’ affections. Even the precocious Pelagia falls victim to Corelli’s charm and compassion.
Torn between her obligation to Mandras and her growing love for Corelli, Pelagia is forced to chose between the two when realities of war comes crashing onto the island.
Nicholas Cage, as Corelli, manages a spotty, inconsistent performance at best.
At times his work is a believable portrayal of a man torn between his duty and his heart. At other times Cage’s awkward facial expressions leave the viewer wondering if he is in love or if he just cut his hand off in a bread-slicer.
“Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” above all else is a good story easily enjoyed due to the rich characters that surround the respectable performance of Penelope Cruz.
Although Cage may have been confused in his performance, the movie itself manages to convince moviegoers of a real paradox brought on by love and war.
