Shadows in the Sun (2005)

Certain films gather a collection of excellent marks such a beautiful cinematography, acting chemistry, simple and beautiful portrait of relationships, and a certain knack to make the film utterly enjoyable, such is the case with "Shadows in The Sun".The true mark of an excellent film is how you feel when you finish viewing it, and how do you fell about seeing it again!, not what the critics think or write about it, so in effect each films has its true value to each individual in itself, a larger acceptance leads to greater reputation, nevertheless to me it's the whole perception to your personal experience. Incidentally, I thought the director did a great job of selecting the sequences, editing was excellent as well, the actors were well within their range, it was so smooth!.To me this film is a "10", don't miss it!

I rented Shadows in the Sun having missed it in the cinema's out here. Harvey Keitel, no comments needed, Claire Forlani I remembered from the great Meet Joe Black and Joshua Jackson, a face that rung a bell but not a very enthusiastic one. Here, Jackson has kindness but doesn't show the passion I expected to see in his face an body language. The wisdom quotes in the film didn't charm my sock off either. There is too much of a contrast between what the story wants to be - could be - and what the movie has become. What really is a pity is the photography that had the quality of a lesser TV-show, not grasping the real - more subtle yet raw - Italian light at all. Many of the scenes lacked imagination. Wagner Carelli from Brazil nicely said it has a lot of clichés. It is a real pity. With more work on the script, better photography and perhaps a simpler mise-en-scene it could have been a nice entertaining feature, maybe more.

Too bad ... I had been hoping for a nice evening movie and then this! How predictable and awfully scripted and plotted can a script be? I was hoping for humor and all I got were childish lines, creamy smiles, and shiny eyes supposed to mirror the light of Tuscany's beautiful landscape. No deep or funny characters, no situational comedy, just a few weak and embarrassing tries at slapstick. I felt very sorry for Harvey Keitel to have had to endure this picture. His character, Parish, is supposed to be a world class writer but his prose is not even 3rd rate, shallow and pseudo-picturesque. The teacher-student relationship is not understandable at all - why would anyone bear this kid, why give him his daughter? Pathetic platitudes were all the viewer got. And this kid Joshua Jackson - or whatever is his name - was just a pancake of emotion and character: flat, boyish, unlikeable - nothing to identify or fall in love with. As for this picture, Claire Forlani should have been credited as Clearly Forlorn. Sadly, two thumbs down!

A fabulous movie for the romantic, both young and old, set in rural Italy with gorgeous scenery and lovely buildings and villages, and featuring lovely music. A bit of strong but dry humour splashed thru out to keep you smiling. Pleasingly, no bad language to speak of and no offensive scenes, a pleasant change these days. A nice easy storyline and well picked actors to fit the characters. Great for anyone with a passion for Italy as the attitude of the villagers is so very typical of the local Italians in a rural area of the Italian countryside. Definitely a delightful movie for all ages. Similar in my opinion to both Under the Tuscan Sun and Tea with Mussollini, yet not quite as dramatic a story line. Also similar in style to movies such as Nottinghill and Love Actually, even though I was not as familiar with the actors. If anyone enjoys a good romantic comedy then this is definitely for them. I saw this movie on a flight several months ago and have not forgotten it and have looked in every video store to find when it will be released. So it obviously stuck in my mind.