Don't get mad at Madden, this boy tries hard....

Rating: Null/10 (27 August 2001)

to do the impossible; make a European movie with an American film style, wide screen, special effects, major musical score, stars chosen over actors. Nevertheless, he should be commended for this enjoyable cinema story- telling. Nick Cage is an Amercian of Italian ancestry, and his trained accent may be forced, but how can anyone NOT like Nick Cage. He has screen charisma. He's not really beautiful but he lights up the screen in all of his work. Penelope Cruz is another matter. Who cast her as the salutable Bella Bambina?? She's cute. Yes, I'll give you that, she's cute and has nice curves for a 98 pound wonder. She's a competent actress. But she cannot
be mistaken for a young Sofia Loren, not even a young Laura Antonelli. This part screamed out for the type of heart stopping screen beauty that really stands out. It doesn't matter if she's a bedroom wizard (which she very likely is) because that only helps Tom Cruise, John Madden and the other lucky stars and producers. It doesn't come across on screen and it even costs money to the filmakers. That's what makes me think she's THAT good. Even in Captain Correlli, the gal playing the executed girlfriend (Vicky Moragaki??) of the German captain outshone Ms. Cruz on screen. That was a salutable bella bambina, not Penelope.
But Mr. Madden should be commended for making this flick which will surely lose money in America but may do well in Europe (I hear they like Amercian movies which is why the French keep trying to outlaw them), and I hope his close times with Cruz were worth the losses entailed in the miscasting. See you at the chalkboard Monday, John!