Lovely film

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2008)

I saw this last night at a sneak preview. This is a gentle, loving film done with a glow of kindness. The scene of the father of the soldier rowing out to see was breathtaking. The story is intriguing, entertaining and a joy to watch unfold. The performances were mostly good, however, Brad Pitt didn't react to specific scenes in ways that were logical or emotionally correct. Cate Blanchett is just wonderful and Taraji Henson is unforgettable. The girls who play Cate's character when younger are breathtaking to watch. This is a lovely film --- yes, it is almost three hours long but it didn't feel like it. And the packed theater audience was totally enthralled the entire time. I so enjoyed the movie and recommend it. The story also shows Hurricane Katrina coming to New Orleans, which we know is where Brad Pitt is working to rebuild the city and raise his family much of the time. Keeping that in mind makes the story even more golden.