What a disappointment

Rating: 2/10 (6 July 2001)

I have to say that I thought this film was pretty dreadful - I knew the story from the book but of course realised that the film would not be the same - and boy it wasn't. The most interesting plotlines like the sacrifice of Carlo (which is key to the survival of Captain Corelli is glossed over as to be almost invisible - not by any chance to do with the fact that it was a gay subplot???) are missing. There doesn't seem to be much drama and also very little mandolin - I also have to say that I didn't think anyone's performance was good - the acting just came over as being very hammy. You'd also think from this film that the Italians were a nice bunch of lads basically on an army holiday - all they do is sing and dance. Weren't they a fascist army?? Hadn't they been involved in atrocities previously ? It would have been nice to have a more balanced view - the cynic in me would ask the question whether Hollywood was afraid of offending the Italian-American viewing public. All in all this film fails in practically every department - except the cinematography - Cephalonia looks fantastic.