cimorene_fantasy

I'm not one for girly sappy movies, and I tend to go for the more adventurous or more thought provoking type of movie, that or comedy, and I've never been a fan of Julia Roberts. I was dragged to this movie very much against my will, and then had to be dragged out of the cinema at the end of the credits because I was glued to my seat with tears in my eyes. The story is as inspirational and beautiful as the painting that is its muse, and challenges not the role of woman as house wife, but champions the right to choose your own path in life, whatever makes you happy. The wonderful story is supported by lovely scenery and cinematography, a toe-tapping heart warming (please excuse the cliches) soundtrack, and a cast of actors, who instead of falling into the trap of beautiful but empty leading ladies, truly give life to their myriad of characters. It is a fantastic film that I would recommend to anyone.

Unlike the typical Hollywood blockbuster, this film aims not to present super human feats bordering on the impossible that rounds up nicely to a happy ending with a few tears. The characters are more important than the special effects and the tears aren't from the death of one major character, but for the loss of millions and the salvation of billions.

My eyes were filled with tears for the last 45 minutes of this film as impending doom approaches and the narrative takes you through the pain of individual characters, and in the final apocalyptic moments, you truly cry for the people trying to outrun a tidal wave of destruction. The tears that round off the film are of joy, for despite the loss of millions of lives, a viewer feels relief at the saving of a handful of the leading characters (as unlike most films more than just one character sacrifices their life) and at the salvation of the world.

It's a film that allows the audience to touch and feel many characters lives, as each actor, most notably Robert Duval, Elijah Wood, Leelee Sobieski, Tea Leoni and Ron Eldard, create and develop deep and believable characters throughout the course of the film. It is beautifuly produced film and an almost perfect viewing experience.

I first saw this film in 1995 when I was just 11 years old and I absolutely adored it. The idea of a kid divorcing his parents, the cowboys, the Eskimos, Bruce Willis in a Bunny suit,and of course, 'My Crack!' Eight years later, I still love this film. Some may call it stupid, but I call it fun, because I can still remember being that kid falling out of my chair laughing. It's a quirky film with a great beginning, a delightful middle and a surprise ending, and anyone who can still remember what it's like to be a kid will enjoy it.