Tintypes

Rating: 8/10 (1 January 2004)

This Miramax film epic, directed by Anthony Minghella, will, no doubt, be hyped to the heavens by the studio in order for it to garner as many prizes as possible. Comments from viewers in this forum seem to indicate they love the film, which, at first glance has all the qualities to merit them. However, this Civil War story of romance in the midst of conflict, feels empty as soon as it ends. This film doesn't stay in one's memory for a lot longer than its 155 minutes of projection.
Inman and Ada love affair is a bit a bit far fetched. Not only do they come from different backgrounds, but they don't appear to have anything in common. In the South of before the Civil War, with its class distinctions, Ada and Inman wouldn't have had a chance, let alone, have the long distance love affair that seems to hold the narrative.
The other problem the film has is the many fake Southern accents, which is understandable when an international cast has been assembled to recreate the same Southerners that wouldn't probably understand what they're talking about.
After all is said and done, Ada only gets to keep Inman's image in the tintype picture he gives her, and as another Southern heroine, Scarlet O'Hara, she will survive the tragedy and come out ahead of the game.