Shadowlands (1993)

Set in the 1950s, the British author C.S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins), best known for the THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, meets an American poet (Debra Winger) and her young son (Joseph Mazzello, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY) visiting England. Although she is married at the time, when they meet again she is divorced and a friendship turns into love. Based on the 1985 TV movie later turned into a 1989 play, both written by William Nicholson who did the screenplay and directed by Richard Attenborough. As a director, Attenborough was always in need of a good editor and SHADOWLANDS is no different. Dragging on past the two hour mark, the film seems padded out. For example, there's the character of a young student (James Frain) in financial trouble who adds nothing to the narrative. Why is he even there? As a film, this is essentially LOVE STORY for the cerebral crowd. They snickered at LOVE STORY (rightly so) but this is tasteful and discreet and somber so they can feel better about themselves when they tear up. I found the material sluggish and morbid. What saves it is the acting by Hopkins and especially Winger (in an Oscar nominated performance) who bring a sincerity to their portraits that one can't help but respect. With Edward Hardwicke and John Wood.