Movie reviews: “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”

Most reviewers have concluded that Captain Corelli’s Mandolin needs to be retuned. Jay Carr’s observation in the Boston Globe that “it isn’t nearly the film it could have been” is echoed by numerous critics. Many others, while decrying the performances by Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz, indicate that they are almost offset by the photography of the Greek isles. “The real star is the cinematographer, John Toll,” Joe Morgenstern observes in his review, adding, “There isn’t a bad shot in the movie. Or a well-written scene.” And Stephen Holden in the New York Times recommends: “If you’ve been longing to visit the Greek islands but haven’t the time or money to make the journey, you could do worse than spend a couple of hours soaking up the scenery in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.” Bob Longino in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution also admires the scenery in the movie but concludes, “Ultimately, very little about Mandolin is not in some way disappointing.” The film does receive a few okay notices. Michael Wilmington in the Chicago Tribune, for example, writes: “Even though it doesn’t measure up to [the original novel], Captain Corelli’s Mandolin is still a richer and more worthwhile entertainment than most of this summer’s dumbed-down releases.”