Review of Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001) by Carlos A — 13 Jan 2010

There are many good stories ruined by getting way to much "Hollywoodesque".. This was the case with Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Set on a Greek island during WWII, a greek young woman falls in love with one of the soldiers from the enemy batallion of Italians securing the place.. don't get me wrong, its a very good story that takes advantage on the ideologies of both cultures (as well as the germans of the time), the cheerful all-loving italians eventually finds their place into the Greeks hearts..and the island and mediterranean mood captures the italians heart in return in what can I say is a very sweet way.

Now there is the part where hollywood comes in and spoils most of it.. there is an Italian film "Mediterraneo" (1991) wich explores more or less the same premise but with both the original languages and a more authentic feeling (actual european mediterranean feeling) things with Hollywood tries to mimic with less than perfect results, one of the most noticeable things are Nicholas Cage`s and Penelope Cruz's accents, wich are a major distraction during the movie.

I call it 3 stars because its a very good film poorly executed, but still a very nice compelling story, even tho I reccomend to see the italian film "Mediterraneo" first in order to really appreciate what and where this film hits and misses..

Captain Corelli's mandolin ranks among the best of the mid-quality hollywood films... In the end it's like a cake that wasn't cook correctly and in the end you get a bowl with some good tasting chocolate mess.