EXTREMELY beautiful love story, but with weak leads !!

Rating: 8/10 (30 July 2005)

This film opens with, possibly, one of the most beautiful sequences that I have EVER seen on film. During the opening credits the rower on the lake in the twilight to the fantastic piano main title by Aaron Zigman while the camera slowly pans in on Gena Rowlands, standing in a window of a mansion watching the birds approach, brings tears to my eyes.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, the "young" leads come across as being rather bland and uninteresting whereas Rowlands and Garner as the mature couple are magnificent and more than make up for any weak moments. Joan Allen in a co-starring role as Allie's mother is great as well, especially as she "becomes human" and reveals a deep secret about her own youth towards the end of the movie.
Well worth watching for the beautiful story line and the fantastic performances of Rowlands, always a treat, and Garner. Do not forget to have a large box of Kleenex nearby !