"BACKGROUND" MUSIC ?

Rating: 7/10 (9 November 2019)

Some may not like this film because it's a bit slow and thoughtful; I pity them. It's actually a rather nice example of how films used to be made, films that had less "crash, bang, wallop" and a little more story, acting and dialogue.
Anthony Hopkins, as always, is excellent; Brad Pitt, despite what some reviewers have said and despite my own mild aversion to him as a modern day, pretty boy method actor, is actually not at all bad and the supporting cast is also more than adequate. Yes, the story is a bit cheesy but since when did every film have to carry some sort of deep message ? This one has a rather old fashioned sentimental, romantic bent and it's none the worse for that; the musical accompaniment is dated, but isn't it so much better than the modern garbage ?
I would have really loved this film except for one thing - the sound quality. The musical background so often drowns out the soft, half mumbled speech of the characters - is it my television or my ears ? No, I've no problems with either, so it's down to the production.
While Hopkins delivers his lines clearly, for the most part, Pitt and Claire Forlani, both speak so quietly, or mumble US style, as to make their words almost unintelligible under the horribly loud "background" music. I love the music, but I'd really like to hear the words of the actors too.
I think it's a rather lovely film; simple and straightforward. It has messages about love and family, loyalty and betrayal, honesty and deceit, but none of these take over. No one turns up to shoot the bad guys or rescue the good ones; it's old fashioned sentimental schmaltz. It would certainly be worth an 8 if it wasn't for that bloody annoying "background" music, so it's only a 7 from me, though I'll watch it again, and again, and again ---------------- .