Shadowlands (1993)

Sadly Over-hyped

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

I'm impressed with the volume of favorable reviews of this film. If you've gone this far, there's no reason at all for me to rehash the plot, the marvelous acting, or the directorial skills displayed here. If I may add something new to the reviews, I would like to say that it's a sad world where Anthony Hopkins is much more known for his portrayal of Hannibal Lechter in The Silence Of The Lambs franchise. I despised those movies, not because I don't like horrific flicks. Check out my other reviews if you think I'm a sob sister who just can't take it. But this is not a review of those films, so I'll proceed...What makes this film rise to greatness is it's portrayal of a man who thinks he has life, the universe, and everything, all wrapped up in a tidy intellectual package, and then finds himself doing and feeling things which force him to completely reevaluate the foundations of his life and faith. I can't help but think that there are many Christians who considered the subject of C. S. Lewis to be safe ground to venture through. Those who only know him through his Narnia stories, and the approval given for those films by their clergy, must have been quite surprised to find the man willing to break immigration laws to wed a somewhat bohemian woman for reasons of citizenship. I hope that those who first recoil at the truth of his life, grow as Lewis did as he faced the contradictions to his smug, self satisfied, view of himself and his faith. If you're a macho man who can't imagine himself capable of crying at a film, get ready to have the rug pulled out from under your pretension. This film hits notes of truth in sadness that are specifically male, and completely missing from 99.99% of cinematography. You will cry not because you are manipulated, but because you recognize yourself in this gentle intellectual facing the glory of love, the pain of unfair tragedy, and the responsibility that endures beyond the drama. Whoever you are, whatever you believe, watch this wonderful film. Share it with a loved one.

Immensely moving, with a stunning, complex performance by Anthony Hopkins, and a very good one by Debra Winger as his slow developing love. Yes, it's corny in a few moments, obvious in a few others, but overall this is a highly intelligent, thoughtful, subtle look at damaged adults reaching for love and dealing with loss. By far my favorite of Attenborough's films. A 'tearjerker', but elevated way beyond that by the writing, direction and acting, into a profound examination of the way we need love to lift us up, while that very thing makes us so vulnerable.Ironically, while this may be the strongest of Attenborough's films, with a stellar cast, great reviews, a fascinating main character (The novelist C.S. Lewis), and powerful universal emotions, it has long been unavailable on DVD. It seems almost a forgotten film, which is everyone's loss.

The famous author of the Narnia chronicles' life is effected by his correspondence with an American Poet. His friendship grows, resulting in his 'technical marriage' to her to enable her to live in the UK. She falls ill and only then does he realise his true feelings for her. Feelings that he has protected himself from for his entire life.I knew it from the first moment I watched Shadowlands, but many years later I watched it again and knew that my earlier feelings were true. This is as perfect a film as I would love to watch. The writing is exact in every word, the acting true and sublime, the cinematography heavenly and the direction pulls the viewer into the story and doesn't let go to the very end. Criticise it at your peril because this is one film that I can confidently defend without fear of attrition. If you don't like it then you're opinion is wrong. Plain and simple.

Acclaimed Christian writer C.S. Lewis is the focus of Sir Richard Attenborough's gentle but moving film about the realisation and discovery of love.Anthony Hopkins (an actor who has movie-goers waiting with baited breath for his next performance) plays the aging lecturer and philosopher who meets an American divorcée whom he takes under his wing. It is only when faced with the possibility of losing her that he realises how much he cares for her.Attenborough' film is very English as it tells this romantic and tragic love story with sensitivity and a delightful sense of humour. Hopkin's is in fine form again as he plays a role similar to the one in "Howard's End", and Debra Winger is very competent as honest American fan Joy Grisham (she's been better though)."Shadowlands" is also bound to make a big impression at the Academy Awards, due to its fine production values (especially cinematography), sturdy direction and strong cast. Perhaps a little too subtle and gentile to have an enormous emotional impact, but many will still find this fairy tale love story very moving.Sunday, February 13, 1994 - Village Rivoli Cinema