Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Captain Corelli's Mandolin

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Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Captain Corellis Mandolin

Corelli's Mandolin

by Joe De Matteo

Huge

Nicolas Cage, Penélope Cruz, John Hurt, Christian Bale, John Madden, Shawn Slovo, Louis de Bernières, Stephen Warbeck, and all the others involved in this project, have conspired to tell a story that would pull at your heart; capture and imprison your attention - and I find them guilty as charged.

We meet the wise Dr. Iannis, who guides us through the storms of war, love and the violent earth.  I cannot imagine any other actor portraying Dr. Iannis but John Hurt.  At one point in the story he has a poignant conversation with his daughter Pelagia (Ms. Cruz).  They are in their kitchen, old and comfortable, she stops at a sturdy cupboard that holds strong dishes, bowls and platters.  We see the thick Mediterranean walls which show the size at door and window openings.  The old doctor standing, cup in hand, in the kitchen proper starts the conversation.  The daughter puts down her basket and sits at the rough table by the cupboard, as he talks, Dr. Iannis moves toward the wall and leans against it, and he talks to her, teaching a daughter that he respects a lesson come due this very day. 

DVD: Captain Corelli's Mandolin

"When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together... that it is inconceivable that you should ever part...because this is what love is.

"Love is not breathlessness. It is not excitement. It is not the desire to mate every second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every part of your body.

"No. Don't blush.

"I'm telling you some truths."  He moves to the table and sits with her.

Putting his cup down, he says, "That is just being in love, which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away.

"Doesn't sound very exciting does it?  But it is!  Do you think that you could begin to imagine... that that is how you will come to feel with..." 

I don't want to give away the story, so I will stop quoting this beautiful dialogue here.  I want to impress upon you that this scene, the acting of John Hurt, and of Penélope Cruz, who virtually does not speak throughout this whole scene, but makes the scene believable with expression and body language; it is one of the most wonderful scenes in film.  Maybe it touched me so deeply because I am a father of daughters, but it touched me so deeply because it is superbly acted.

Penélope Cruz will enchant you with her beauty, her emotion, and her strength; she gives a powerful performance.

Nicolas Cage is always likeable, isn't he?  As Captain Corelli he is likeable, indeed.  Corelli shows the fun side of a musician who loves life, the compassion of a man who is forced to be an occupier in a war he does not believe in, the valor of an honorable man wronged, and the tenderness of a gentleman in love.

However, John Hurt is truly great.  He has aged perfectly, as if, for this roll.  It is Hurt's ability and talent that keep this film solidly rooted; the character of Dr. Iannis is the cornerstone of the story.  You believe what he tells you, and you trust his judgment, as do the people of Caphallonia.  With all the side stories, that must be when you are looking at so many strong characters, including Caphallonia, I should add, Dr. Iannis is always there to bring you back to the story, the story of individuals whose "roots have become entwined together". 

I'm so glad that I finally gave in and viewed this film, which I originally turned my back on.  It is absolutely wonderful.

Joe De Matteo, August 2005

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