Shadowlands” a Richard Attenborough classic

The story is true- commonplace, yet tragic. A man (the noted Oxford Academic CS Lewis), meets a lady (a divorcee, with two sons from the US and a poet in her own right), and a “friendship” develops between this opinionated male chauvinist and the ill treated lady. Marriage is followed by her tragic death (owing to cancer) in less than 4 years.

A above two sentence event is transformed into celluloid poetry in the able hands of Richard Attenborough and Anthony Hopkins. They don’t make such movies any longer (this one was released in 1993), for the world has moved apace and there is no time for delicate romance and Philosophy.

Through short responses in conversations, Richard Attenborough brings to the table the age old debate on God, happiness and living. CS Lewis once an atheist was converted to Christianity in the academic environs of Magdalene College. His fame as a speaker par excellence on God and living was tested when his wife passes away and he is unable to answer the questions raised by her son. Anthony Hopkins never disappoints and the moods vary from the passion of a literary dialogue with fellow Professors to heartbreaking crying. Debra Winger was nominated for an Award for her performance, and I wish the Photographer, Editor, and Director, also were singled out. Truly a team work of art.

Worth an afternoon in the quietude of one’s bedroom, the lights switched off, the curtains drawn and the dialogues echoing through space.   Have you ever cried in a movie along with the hero? I did!

18NOV17