Reviews

You basically know what you're getting with a film like this, a sweet romantic story with a lot of tension between the two main characters. And it really works, the script is excellent and Sandra Bullock works her usual engaging magic. What you don't know you're getting is one of the most beautiful examples of cinematography this year. Too often too little attention is paid to experimentation with the camera in films like this. People go just to see the story, what do they care for fancy angles and the like? I didn't expect to find myself catching my breath at the sheer magnificence of some of the scenes. Ben and Sandra run through a car lot as slow motion rain falls around them, and it might not sound like much but it's so awe inspiring. I had a quick check and what do you know the cinematographer, Elliot Davis, is also responsible for Out of Sight last year. Of course he is! This has the same empty, calm, soft feel as that film. It's all about slow movement through a wide space which leaves the hairs on the back of your neck standing up. Excellent on many levels, as a bit of standard fun and as a work of art. Rating out of five for people who like to see Sandra Bullock with lots of black eyeliner - 5, for everyone else - 3

Bleak and dark portrayal of the relationships between 6 main characters. The film was watchable only because some of the characters were very easy to sympathise with. You will want to turn away from the screen because the other characters are so hateful. This is a really intelligent film, you should be able to recognise some aspect of every bad relationship you've ever been in. Much easier for a woman to watch than a man. The repulsive male figures are worthy of hate. The repulsive female figures are just pathetic.

Don't expect to come out feeling uplifted but do expect to feel relieved that your relationship isn't going nearly as badly as any of those depicted in the film. If it is then now is the time to get out. Out of 5 : for relationship masochists - 5 for everyone else - 3

Absolutely lovely. I just got back from seeing this film. It's so beautiful and so moving. Catherine McCormack really shines in the lead role. It's so unusual to have a film where the woman truly is the lead and the male the support. (Elizabeth springs to mind, is it something about period pieces, can we only deal with strong female characters if they are removed from present context and hence present no threat, answers on a postcard.) This is why movies are so compelling. At the end of the day we go to escape and this is true escapism. I became so caught up in this world of grandeur and passion that I was left reeling. Recalls La Reine Margot in many ways. If you enjoyed this film I'd recommend that also. (Interesting to note that La Reine Margot, again a strong female character who makes use of her femaleness, is again set in a period piece.)

I have been a fan of Robin Wright-Penn since she appeared in The Princess Bride. And to be honest, I always watch with bated breath to see if Kevin Costner's latest will be a turkey or not. Well hold the cranberry sauce, this one's OK. In fact it's very good, if you like seriously slushy and obvious plot lines. It was a little hard to believe that Kevin is sexy enough to inspire women to fall at his feet. He's losing his hair, he's a little rotund to say the least, in fact, Paul Newman was the real source of screen fire.

Kevin's megalomania extended itself to (plot detail giveaway !!!! turn away now) casting himself as the perfect hero at the end of the film and actually, once he was gone I found that the closing sequences were deeply satisfying. Was that because of the story or because I knew I wouldn't have to see Kev again, who knows. Rating: On the serious chick flick scale 4 out of 5. On anybody else's scale 2.