Review of Shadowlands (1993) by Daniel R — 09 May 2011

Personal Score: 10/10.

As I've mentioned many times, I absolutely adore the work of C.S. Lewis, from his priceless Narnia novels to his meditations of the Christian faith. He is my favorite author and one of the most fascinating human beings I've ever researched. One of the most fascinating aspects of his life was his late marriage to a woman named Joy Gresham. I find this delightfully ironic considering the fact that not too long before they met Lewis had written a book about his conversion to Christianity called Surprised By Joy. So, when I discovered that a film had been made about C.S. Lewis and his wife I naturally had to see it.

Shadowlands stars the tremendous Anthony Hopkins as Lewis, and the equally excellent Debra Winger as Joy. It is directed by Richard Attenborough, who having directed this and Gandhi seems to have quite a flair for bio-pics. Hopkins, in appearance, hardly resembles the late Lewis at all, but his portrayel of Lewis' speech, character, and well-known manner is simply flawless. He is so utterly believeable that I actually forgot I was watching Hopkins during the film.

The film is about Lewis, a bachelor into his 60s, meeting a fan and pen pal named Joy, an American. She is married and with a son, but her marriage is to an abusive man and will soon end. Lewis and Joy are merely friends for a while, as Lewis likes to keep it. One must understand that Lewis never intended to marry and was very guarded about ideas like romance.

Joy comes to England on two occasions, once to visit Lewis and the next time to get away from her now ex-husband. She wishes to stay in England, but is not a citizen. She and Lewis decide to marry, but this is a marriage of convenience, not love. Lewis, as her friend, is offering his citizenship to her so that she may remain in the country. They do not even marry in the presence of a minister, because Lewis believes this not to be a marriage before God. They do not live together and still only see each other the way friends would on occasion. This soon changes.

Joy is soon diagnosed with terminal cancer after an accident in which her leg snaps like a branch. Lewis goes to be with her and take care of her, and soon he realizes that he will soon be without her. This understanding overwhelms him, but helps him to realize that he truly loves her. She has, in all likelyhood, loved him even longer. There, in the hospital, the marry again, this time before God, as true husband and wife.

They know their time together will be short-lived, but they make the most of it. The great triumph in this film is that of Lewis' heart being overtaken by a love he had avoided for so long. It is believed in Christianity that marriage is a picture of God's love for an individual (or the church in general), and to see Lewis finally embrace it and tenderly cling to it in his wife is so beautiful to watch, and so utterly heartbreaking when it inevitably ends.

Shadowlands is a remarkably romantic film, and a very heartbreaking one. The performances by all are top notch, and the approach to the material is brilliant. Hopkins has had many excellent roles, none so iconic as Hannibal Lector, but this may be his next best, and yet it seems to be relatively unknown and therefore hardly appreciated.

You don't have to love romantic movies to appreciate this excellent film, because it isn't like the fodder we see today. The love displayed in this film is of a much deeper and more realistic kind. I've always held to the belief that love is far more about action than feelings, and it is so refreshing to see a film that honors that very thing.