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CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN Send This Review to a Friend
Don't look for any of the political aspects that stirred controversy over Louis de Bernieres's novel "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" in the film version. It does deal with the horrors of World War II inflicted by the Nazis on the people of the Greek island of Cephallonia, as well as on the Italians who first occupied the isle. But mainly it is a love story between the Italian Captain Corelli and the young Greek woman Pelagia against the background of partisan fighting, war's brutality and the wisdom of Pelagia's devoted father, the local Dr. Iannis. An effort is made to show the spirit of the Greek people under the occupation, but the novel has been changed to create a more upbeat romantic outcome.
As one has come to expect of such adaptations, the film is a mixture of an absorbing story and Hollywoodization as written by Shawn Slovo and directed by John Madden. South African-born Slovo had a strong political background so one might expect her to dig more deeply into the complexities reflected in the book. But she and the British-born Madden, who directed "Shakespeare in Love," concentrate on the love that develops between Corelli and Pelagia while also stressing the historical aspects of the war's effect on the people of Cephallonia.
Making the most of the opportunity, Nicholas Cage gives an excellent performance as the music-loving, sensitive Corelli, who has no stomach for being an occupying officer, a feeling shared by his fellow Italian soldiers. But Penelope Cruz as Pelagia seems more Spanish (which she is) than Greek. The characteristic Greek animation is missing from her mostly pensive portrayal. Despite the sincerity she injects into the part, she seems to have two basic expressions--the sad face of torment and the upbeat face of pleasure. The love story becomes somewhat leaden rather than deeply moving. John Hurt, consummate actor that he is, makes Dr. Iannis a life force, although his habitual philosophical observations can begin to remind one of a fortune cookie.
Christian Bale is convincing as Mandras, Pelagia's first love, who joins the partisans and whom she rejects for Corelli. Celebrated Greek actress Irene Papas lends ethnic authority as Mandras's mother Drosoula, but this is not a role that even begins to show her broad talent. David Morrissey gives a fine performance as Captain Weber, the Nazi officer who is troubled by the lengths to which he must go to carry out orders.
The setting looks authentic--the film was shot on Cephallonia--and that helps considerably to underscore the seriousness of the story, which reminds us of the toll taken by World War II on those who fell victims to the Nazis and of the bravery on the part of those who withstood the ordeal. This adaptation could have been worse. At least the film is capable of holding one's interest, but the tale cries out for more neo-realism and less sentimentality. It stands on its own, as it must, apart from the novel, but when one notes the less romanticized result of the book's outcome, one can't help but see how the film could have been stronger without the upbeat tampering. A Universal Pictures release.
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