Wanted: Fine looking film seeks convincing actor

Rating: 1/10 (25 March 2001)

This movie started off with something of a bang and ended as a pathetic whimper - and in all honesty the middle was slow and torturous. Although Joseph Fienes made a reasonable effort as the ambitious love sick officer, his performance was completely nullified by Jude Law and Rachel Weisz exchanging hot glances and ladelling out their lines in a sort of South London British accent. Suspension of Disbelief was away on the Western front drinking French wine and chasing the girls. Perhaps the most appalling delivery was given by Eva Mattes (Mrs Fillipov) who was not only wooden and stilted but also fell pray to the lame brained idea that Russians are all British citizens who went on holiday and overshot Spain. The only one to really shine in the movie was Ed Harris who brings off the role of the cold blooded marksman with some style. Kudos to the casting agent who signed him on. The special effects were outstanding and I must say the battle sequences were shocking and believable, however they were too few to paper over the cracks. For most of the movie I was wondering where they had left the war. The love interest, the family drama, the personal issues ... all very diversionary but I went to see a war movie.