VHS : Shadowlands (1993)

Rating: - That's the Deal
Pair with 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, sadly available only in full-screen, for a lovely literary-themed Hopkins double bill.

The DVD of SHADOWLANDS gave my low-end player fits. All was fine up to chapter 14, then at the end of Lewis's tearful confession ("I'd have to love her more than myself.") playback stopped and no measures could surmount that hurdle. Perhaps no more than a quirky copy, but I'm doubtful; after trading up my player the same disc plays wonderfully. One star off for player persnicketiness.

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Rating: - Powerful, arresting, moving and quite beautiful...
When I first experienced this magical film, I was a 23 year old male living in my own world of euphoria; I was alive and in love. Fitting, then, that Shadowlands is my favourite film. Here, we see a character portrayed by Hopkins that does not appear in any of his works both before and after - humble + honest + noble + downright decent; a combination of qualities rarely scrpited for actors in a jurrasic, special efffect, massive budget motion picture era. Further, while Sahdowlands doesn't dazzle you with hip, young actors and awesome scenes of people, buildings and the planet being decimated, it does what the majority cannot seem to deliver - it tells a story - nothing more, nothing less. Middle aged Hopkings falls for a younger woman (Debra Winger) and his life (which, hitherto, was one of routine and content)takes on a whole new meaning, unitl tragedy strikes. Yes, I can describe the intricate details of the setting, the chronology of events etc, but the bottom line is simple - regardless of time and location, this is a story of love.....Have your box of Kleenex at the ready and take it all in. Enjoy! P.M.

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Rating: - Hopkins should have won an oscar!
First, Anthony should have won an oscar for the brilliant, moving performance that he gave in this movie. I have never seen a more oscar worthy performance (o.k maybe A.H for silence of the lambs) and considering that many unmerited actors have received an oscar for their performances I don't see why he wasn't awarded one. But anyway, the story is quite beautiful, romantic, rewarding and sad. Be prepared to ball your eyes out!

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Rating: - This movie will make you cry
This is an excellent movie about the great love of CS Lewis's life. Not only does it do an excellent job of portraying an image of CS Lewis's personality for those of us who will never meet him, but it also does a great job of telling a story of love and loss. My wife and I watched this movie, and it has motivated us to live our lives more passionately and to use every moment that we our given to love more fully.

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Rating: - Very Moving
For anyone who has ever read "Miracles", or "The Problem of Pain", or "Mere Christianity", etc..., we all know Clive Staples Lewis is a deep man. For whomever takes a minute or two to read this review I cannot impress on you enough the amount of grace that God bestowed on this man. His probing insight into the heart of humanity has never ceased to amaze and astound me. "Shadowlands" gave me a different view of the man whom I consider a saint. His impeccable logic was worthless when it came to the love he felt for Joy. As she died he had to rely completely on his faith...and he was put to the test. His constant prayers for her healing did not change God's plan, "they changed him(C.S.)".
I cried throughout most of this movie...not for Joy, but for the pain my beloved author went through. I am sure Joy had her share of physical pain, but Jack went through the worst. When Love(God) shows up when you least expect it (along the line you have been following), and is suddenly taken away, you are bound to question your faith. The movie does a fine job of portraying that problem in the mind's eye of C.S. Lewis.