{"id":1769,"date":"2014-03-20T11:35:51","date_gmt":"2014-03-20T15:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=1769"},"modified":"2014-03-20T11:35:51","modified_gmt":"2014-03-20T15:35:51","slug":"winters-tale-not-average-love-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=1769","title":{"rendered":"‘Winter’s Tale’ not average love story"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted March 20, 2014<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By ASHLEY ZIMMERMAN<\/p>\n

Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay and Russell Crowe give moving and memorable performances in the screen adaptation of \u201cWinter\u2019s Tale,\u201d Mark Helprin\u2019s 1983 novel.<\/p>\n

\""Winter's<\/a>

“Winter’s Tale”<\/p><\/div>\n

Director and writer Akiva Goldsman, (Academy Award winning screen writer of \u201cA Beautiful Mind)\u201d makes his directing debut a strong one.
\nThis film is a fantastic love story with a heavy focus on good vs. evil, destiny, miracles and true love.<\/p>\n

The kind of film viewers will either love or hate, it requires thought and a developed attention span. Full of symbolism and quotes that will make viewers stop and think, this isn\u2019t your average girl meets boy love story.<\/p>\n

The film takes place in Manhattan, over a century, starting in 1886 and ending in 2014. This is achieved through the use of well-done flashbacks and flash-forwards. These time jumps are clearly marked and identified by costume changes and style to avoid confusion. \u201cWinter\u2019s Tale\u201d is shot on location in New York City.<\/p>\n

The beautiful backdrop of the city is enhanced by a romantic score from Oscar winner Hans Zimmer (\u201cThe Lion King,\u201d \u201cInception,\u201d \u201cMan of Steel\u201d) and Rupert Gregson-Williams (\u201cGrown Ups 2\u201d). The film is visually pleasing, with the help of director of photography and five-time Academy Award nominee Caleb Deschanel (\u201cThe Patriot,\u201d \u201cPassion of the Christ,\u201d \u201cFly Away Home,\u201d \u201cThe Natural,\u201d \u201cThe Right Stuff\u201d).<\/p>\n

Peter Lake, the protagonist (Colin Farrell) is an ex-mechanic turned thief, an orphan who finds himself falling for Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay) a wealthy young woman who is dying of consumption. The two meet when fate leads Peter to a huge mansion in New York City, to rob the place. Once inside, he realizes the house is not empty as he had thought and he stumbles upon Beverly.<\/p>\n

Quickly forgetting about his plan to rob the mansion, Peter introduces himself and Beverly invites him to stay for tea. With a slightly slow start, the movie really takes off when Peter and Beverly meet and tension builds steadily resulting in a surprising and powerful climax that will leave viewers hopeful and inspired.<\/p>\n

Their romance happens quickly and in no time at all the two are in love. There are just two problems, Beverly is dying and Peter is running from the antagonist (Russell Crowe) Pearly Soames, mob boss and demon. With the help of Horse, a magical white horse and spirit guardian, Peter does everything he can to save his true love using his gift, his miracle.<\/p>\n

The magical world of Peter Lake is filled with angels, demons, guardians and humans. A tragic love story, \u201cWinter\u2019s Tale\u201d takes place in a world where miracles are attainable, immortality is possible and magic is everywhere. The actors in the film bring this world to life with their sometimes, frighteningly believable, other times heart-wrenching, performances.<\/p>\n

Jessica Brown Findlay, of TV\u2019s \u201cDownton Abbey,\u201d is engaging, enchanting and captivating as Beverly Penn. Colin Farrell is both charming and emotionally gripping as Peter Lake. Russell Crowe is chillingly as demon Pearly Soames. Together, and with the support of incredibly talented actors like Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt (Issac Penn), and Will Smith (Lucifer) they allow viewers to immerse themselves fully in the tale.<\/p>\n

While the film doesn\u2019t appeal to those who want to be entertained without having to think, it\u2019s the perfect movie for those who enjoy films with a deeper message. Fans of \u201cCloud Atlas\u201d and \u201cThe Matrix\u201d will most likely love \u201cWinter\u2019s Tale\u201d; a refreshing break from the run of the mill romantic comedies and action movies out there.<\/p>\n