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Captain Corelli's Mandolin
by
debbie lynn elias
"Captain Corelli’s
Mandolin" is just the latest example of why many books should not be turned
into films, literacy should be promoted in our educational institutions and
sub-titles should be used on films requiring foreign accents.
Based on the best-selling novel
of the same name by Louis de Bernieres, this is a story of love set against a
backdrop of war in 1940 Cephallonia, a small Greek island in the Mediterranean
that looks as if it should be on a postcard - quaint, colorful, serene and yet
robust with the life and history of its proud people. We learn of Cephallonia’s
history through its unofficial historian and town doctor, Dr. Iannnis, admirably
portrayed by screen veteran John Hurt. His daughter, Pelagia, played by Penelope
Cruz, is educated in medicine and literature and has aspirations to complete her
medical training and become a doctor to her people.
With World War II raging, the
young men of Cephallonia enlist in the Greek Army and go off to join the battle,
among them, Pelagia’s betrothed, the testosterone-filled Mandras (Christian
Bale). As Mandras sails away, an invading force from the Italian Army arrives,
complete with an opera singing company of men headed by Captain Antonio Corelli
played by Nicolas Cage. Obviously immediately smitten with Pelagia on his
arrival to town (which does not go unnoticed by Pelagia’s father), Corelli
takes up room and board at her home through an arrangement between the company
quartermaster and Dr. Iannis. Pelagia, however, is less than thrilled with their
houseguest let alone the fact that the Italians are even on Cephallonia,
criticizing and insulting Corelli at every turn for his joking and singing
manner, badgering him with "Is everything a joke to you? What is there to
sign about?" But, as we all know, this blustering is nothing more than
needed foreplay to set the stage for Corelli and Pelagia to confess their true
feelings for one another, despite Pelagia’s engagement.
Needless to say, the course of
true love is never smooth sailing and here is no different. Madras wanders back
from the war severely injured (primarily from walking barefoot), leaves again to
fight for the underground, and then wanders back in again. His mother, played by
the Greek actress, Irene Papas, although lacking real fire in her performance,
nevertheless shows disdain towards Pelagia after realizing her son’s love has
been "betrayed" and in true almost-mother-in-law fashion, waggles her
finger and her tongue to the townspeople about the situation. The Nazi’s mix
things up even more when they come to the island after the Italians surrender to
the Allies in 1943, but as to be expected, Nazi’s can’t be trusted and death
and destruction become the watchwords of the day as we see everyone’s dreams
to go up in smoke. And as if the Nazi’s weren’t enough, Mother Nature
herself stirs the pot even more in 1947 in the form of a massive earthquake.
Although capturing the visually
breathtaking island location and panoramic vistas, director John Madden and
screenwriter Shawn Solvo fail in their attempts to translate this literary work
of art for the silver screen, losing the heart and soul of the characters and
the very spirit of the story. With a mix of Greeks, Italians and Germans,
everyone speaking (or trying to speak) English, some very poor foreign accents
(sorry Nicolas) and characters translating for characters while speaking in
English, dialogue in native tongues with sub-titles would have been preferable.
In addition to the non-chemistry between Cage and Cruz, the script falls flat in
creating and establishing the groundwork for the romance between Pelagia and
Corelli, giving the viewer no idea of their attraction but for Corelli playing
his mandolin. Their movements seem almost mechanical and pre-conceived as
opposed to passionate and spontaneous. On the other hand, David Morrisey gives
an interesting turn as German captain, Gunther Weber, going from wimpy and
indecisive to befriending the Italians to hanging his head in shame at the acts
of the Germans to cold-blooded killer. Piero Maggio is a stand out as Corelli’s
friend Carlo, giving new meaning and stature to friendship and quiet loyalty.
There are also a few brief
shining moments of dialogue which give some character insight as to pride and
dignity of the Greek people themselves when the town mayor states he would
rather surrender to the dog of a German office rather than an Italian and
another instance where the writing on a statute in the town square has been
changed from Greek to Latin. Too bad more of this type of character study and
detail didn’t come into the film.
Despite its shortcomings, as with
most love during war movies (okay, not "Pearl Harbor"),
"Captain Corelli’s Mandolin" is a tear-jerker. If you can overlook
the poor script, bad accents and lack of chemistry between the film’s stars
and concentrate on the beauty of Cephallonia and the auditory delights of the
exquisite soundtrack, the movie is well worth the price of a matinee admission.
A word to the wise, however. Read
the book and savor every word. And whether you read the book and/or see the
movie, know that the Captain Corelli’s mandolin not only breathes life with
each note played upon it, but ultimately saves life as well.
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