Susan Granger’s review of “Winter’s Tale” (Warner Bros.)
Back in 1980, my brother (Stephen Simon) made “Somewhere in Time,” a supernatural fantasy starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It was crucified by critics and didn’t gain popularity until it was released on DVD, where it’s stayed one of the most popular cinematic romances of the twentieth century. I suspect “Winter’s Tale” will suffer a similar fate. In our cynical culture, it’s difficult to suspend disbelief and gain box-office traction for a wondrous, logic-defying love story that transcends time and space.
The fanciful mythology begins in 1916 in New York City, where a professional thief, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) is cornered by nefarious thugs, led by his mentor Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe). Out of nowhere, a winged white horse (a.k.a. Pegasus) appears to carry him away – into the life of Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a wealthy young pianist who is dying of consumption. Much to the consternation of her father (William Hurt), it seems that Peter’s destiny is intertwined with a red-haired woman and Beverly fits the bill, according to Soames, who works for Lucifer (Will Smith in an uncredited cameo). Skip ahead 100 years. While Manhattan’s skyline has transformed, disheveled Peter, who never ages, is still mourning the loss of his beloved Beverly, wandering in Central Park until he encounters a journalist (Jennifer Connolly), who invites him home for dinner – and his true calling becomes clear.
Adapted from a 1983 novel by Mark Helprin and directed by Akiva Goldsman, it explores fate, hope, miracles and other enigmatic concepts, like angels and demons. Colin Farrell seamlessly shifts from snarky to sincere, enraptured by radiant Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil from “Downton Abbey”), while Russell Crowe simply adapts his Javert growl from “Les Miserables.” And it’s a rare treat when seldom-seen Eva Marie Saint emerges in a pivotal role at the conclusion.
Fortunately, Akiva Goldsman, who wrote “A Beautiful Mind,” “Cinderella Man,” “The DaVinci Code,” has top-notch actors on speed-dial and Celeb Deschanel behind the camera.
On the Granger Movie Gauge, “Winter’s Tale” is a spiritual 7, a surreal, stardust-sprinkled journey.
