I'm A 21 Year Old Guy! I Don't Cry At Films!!!

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2004)

Whilst not perfect, I thought this was a film full of beautiful and moving moments and the simple fact is that I had tears in my eyes at 4 or 5 points during the film and, whatever comments or criticisms I can have, nothing can change the fact that I was deeply moved from this film.
I think one of the biggest perceived criticisms of the film (i.e. the fact Inman and Ada barely know each other film) is the very thing that makes it such a beautiful, moving idea. I really loved the idea that someone could be going through such a terrible time and the only source of hope that I have is not even, as such a person, but the image and idea of a person who they don't even really know.
I found Ada's letters to Inman extremely touching and the sense of longing throughout the film is absolutely staggering heart-wrenching although, to be truthful, this sense of longing also does cause problems with the film's end as the hope and longing can never live up to to the final realisation.
Elsewhere, Natalie Portman has the single saddest, sweetest moment of the film in a brief but outstanding cameo while Philip Seymour Hoffman adds brilliant comic relief. Renee Zelwegger must surely be a strong contender for the Best Supporting Actress nods at the Oscars and elsewhere.
True, the ending has its problems, true the chemistry between Jude Law and Nicole Kidman does not entirely work and Law gives a strangely muted performance (I don't mean in the sense that the character doesn't speak much, although he doesn't, but that Law does not give as strong an impression as the character as you might expect from such a talented actor).
But, when a film is as moving and brilliant in its conveyal of the horrors of war and when I enjoy virtually an entire two and a hour film - I'm a firm believer that there is seldom ANY excuse for making film more than 120 minutes - all quibbles seem minor.