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Shadowlands
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lovely movie
Review date: 2008-10-15 Rating: 6 out of 10
A lovely film. And a tearjerker. This had been on my film list for a while so when a friend lent it to me I jumped at the chance. As a child I loved the books of C.S. Lewis and was devestated to see he had such a sad life going through so much pain with the woman he loved. It's a touching and heartwarming film that will really make you think about your partner and how much you care about them.
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Reviews
A nice cosy story...
Review date: 2008-02-12 Rating: 6 out of 10
The real life story of Oxford based writer C.Lewis and American author lady. A nice film for Sunday afternoons. The surroundings of the Oxford style life is well given. Praise to supporting actor Edward Hardwicke (from the Jeremy Brett series of Sherlock Holmes)
Ignores some very important aspects of the real story, such as Jack's struggle to marry Joy and their healing 'miracle'.
Review date: 2008-02-07 Rating: 2 out of 10
I loved the version of Jack and Joy's story as portrayed by Joss Ackland and Claire Bloom, having read and been very moved by the original. However, the script for this version has been altered so much that it presents a serious distortion of the truth.
Small examples: Joy had two sons; here she has only one. Why? Joy didn't move to London; she moved straight to Oxford from the USA - why change it?
But the most important objection is to the circumstances surrounding their marriage and their 'miracle', which are simply left out. Everyone knows that CS Lewis was a highly successful advocate of the Christian faith. However, when he decided that he wanted to marry Joy under the auspices of the Church, permission was refused him because Joy was divorced. He had a huge struggle to find a priest who would defy the Bishop and marry them. None of this is shown in the movie.
Nor is it shown that, immediately after the priest - Father Peter Bide - had married them on what they thought would be Joy's deathbed, he asked permission to say some prayers for healing for Joy. It was immediately after this that Joy's recovery began, and the two of them referred to it as their 'miracle.' This is not shown either, but to the two people most closely concerned this was obviously deeply important to them.
Parts of the real story have been sacrificed to make the movie 'pretty.' Jack and his brother Warnie lived in considerable squalor, and Anthomy Hopkins is far too good-looking for the original (do try to find the Joss Ackland version - it came out on video, though I'm not sure it went to DVD). And because they've dropped Joy's second son from the script, they can't show the close parallel between Joy's two boys losing their mother at almost exactly the same age as when Jack and Warnie lost theirs.
It's a pretty movie, and had it been advertised as a work of fiction and the names of the characters changed then it would have worked well. But far too many people will believe that this is the true story of Jack and Joy Lewis, and won't be shown those aspects that mattered most to the real people in their real world.
Up there with Remains of the Day
Review date: 2008-01-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
Praise indeed but on my first viewing of Richard Attenboroughs beautifully paced drama set mainly at Magdelanes college in Oxford this account of Professor of English and author of the Narnia books C S Lewis love and loss is magnificently directed.
Mr Hopkins plays the role of the confirmed bachelor living with his brother most convincinly.As i have already said the pace of the film is very slow but beautifully directed.
Debra Winger easily deserved Oscar nomination for her role as admirer Joy Gresham but it is her young sons anticapation of meeting his hero Jack
(Hopkins)that makes this film endearing.Its akin to a young child going to see Santa for the first time,trepadation and fear but great excitement.
Hopkins throughout most of the film is reserved not letting his guard down but Mrs Greshams upfront manner breaks down his manner and he finds love for the first time.
The scene where other college professors who have known CS Lewis for over 25years see him with a brash American woman is funny and well acted at the same time.
Although the narrative and storyline are vastly different to Remains of the Day, Hopkins portrayal of the lone confirmed bacherlor falling in love for the first time is magnificently played.
With a storyline based on true facts Attenboroughers great direction and Hopkins magnificent acting make Shadowlands a truly memorable film.
Nearing the end of the film when Mrs Gresham marries Lewis for the first time to allow her and son Douglas to remain in the country the film moves at a slightly quicker pace.
Joy's accident whilst answering the telephone diagnoses cancer of the left leg.
The attachment of CS to Mrs Gresham grows and grows,the beautifull backdrop of the Golden Valley in Hereford is most moving but the now devoted husband having officially remarried her in hospital clings onto the hope that she may become well again.
Of all the many films i have seen few are as moving as Hopkins vigil besides his wifes bed and final farewell after his realisation of her passing away.
There is one scene that those familiar with the film will remember showing the true magnificence of Hopkins as an actor.
Young Douglas whose earlier disappointment at finding the famous wardrobe in Lewi's atic bare and holding no secrets now sits infront of it remembering his now dead mother.
Lewis obviously ill at ease with children explains how he lost his mother at the age of nine but that moment when both break down with tears and hug each other is so heartrending that its overpowering.
There are few people who would criticise Hopkins in this mesmorising piece of acting,he plays the grieving husband and doting father so well that its hard to imagine any actor dead or alive improving on it.
That final scene of a revisit to the Golden Valley with Douglas and pet dog running towards his new father CS Lewis seals what to me is one of the finest films made by Richard Attenborough even of equal merit with Ghandi.
The film was made in the wrong year,1993 when Schindlers List won all the Oscars of note but i still cannot make my mind up on which film is supream Remains of the Day or Shadowlands,both so different but of equal merit because of the trully spellbinding acting by all involved.
wonderful
Review date: 2007-02-22 Rating: 10 out of 10
I only rented this movie because I think Anthony Hopkins is an amazing actor and he didn't let me down.
He plays C.S Lewis, the author of the Narnia books among others. 'Jack' (as his brother calls him) is an ageing university lecturer in Oxford who lives with his equally single brother simply passing the time teaching people literature and belief in God. His life is routine and he is content.
One day he agrees to meet an American woman who is a fan of his work and has been writing him letters which he finds interesting. She asks him questions which provoke thought and isn't afraid to say what she feels/thinks. They develop a strong friendship and love over time only to have their feelings tested in the worst way.
The movie sounds drab when put that way but it unravels at a gentle (some may call it slow!) pace with a wonderful and witty dialog. There are several characters entwined in the background which give the movie more substance and ground work. To top it all off are the beautiful settings in which it is set.
A movie about true love and loss to touch anyones heart strings.
Definitely worth watching.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Debra Winger
Anthony Hopkins
Creators:
Anthony Hopkins (Primary Contributor)
Debra Winger (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437889430
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-11-28
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 126 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)