Strangely compelling

Rating: 9/10 (1 January 2010)

Let me say right away that I do not like the Hollywood view of England we always seem to get - snowy winters, cosy cottages, unspoilt countryside, everybody working in media and driving Range Rovers etc. I also do not like the way they re-write well-known historical facts: you should spot the glaring mistake.
But as a story it definitely works. The beginning is dire, but fortunately the film changes direction quite swiftly. Although at times there appear to be two opposing forces dragging this movie in different directions, it actually manages to overcome this. We basically have a core of five good actors - well, four very good actors and Jude Law - who tell a compelling story in a watchable and mostly likable manner. Those on the fringes are thankfully restricted to a few short scenes, as they add very little in terms of the story or the acting.
I'm not a big fan of romance and soppy chick-flicks, and ordinarily I'd say anything over 2.5 hours is excessive, but I actually could have watched another 2.5 hours of this. It manages to balance perfectly the two emerging and distinctly different love affairs (+ a bonus, heartwarming friendship) so that it's almost like watching two movies at once. Its not going to appeal to everyone, but if you appreciate a good story well told, can forgive the bizarre inaccuracies and the weak-ish ending, then you are in for a treat.