by Celeste Froehlich

Created on: January 15, 2008

This rare film is a haunting love story, written as a WWII memoire. One fated night, a young man full of life and passion arrives for a dinner party where he hopes to woo his beloved, but the long night has a tragic twist with reverberations that last a lifetime. It is about childhood, love, perception and misperception, and the tragedy of love lost.

The characters have a depth rarely seen in historical fiction. Their stunning performances are so intimate they seem almost contemporary. Keira Knightley is more beautiful than ever. She plays the role of the wealthy, beautiful lover with a mystique no one else can match. In Keira Knightly's iconic love seen she is clad in a clingy green dress that falls like a second skin; their one steamy, secret rendez-vouz will remain seared into your mind forever. In fact that one union becomes the anchor point in their memories during their long, tortured separation, as her lover unwillingly heads off to fight for many years.

The younger sister of Keira Knightley, who ends up being a suprising second heroine, also put in a stellar performance. As we follow her throughout a life time, she evokes the regrets, guilt, longing in us all. Though some have called this movie depressing, I would describe its tragic beauty as an inspiration.

This film has a lovely, lyrical script that all writers will appreciate, but the true crowning glory is the cinematography which is strikingly beautiful without being pretentious. The close shots transport you to another place, another life. Art at its best. The movie is also known for having one of the longest takes ever made, as soldiers await evacuation on a beach. This climactic scene is executed so flawlessly, you will not even notice it is one take unless you play close attention. You will not regret the fare to see this one on the big screen!

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