Today’s quick review: Winter’s Tale. Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) has a brush with destiny when he meets Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a vivacious young woman who’s dying of consumption. Falling deeply in love with one another, Peter and Beverly try to make the most of the time they have left. But their love faces a dire threat from Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe), a devlish mob boss and Peter’s former mentor, who tries to cut their story short.
Winter’s Tale is a fantasy romance about a young man’s attempt to work a miracle and save the woman he loves. Winter’s Tale is set in New York in 1916, where an orphan who grew up on the streets of Brooklyn finds himself in the middle of a much larger conflict. The movie posits a magic beyond the day-to-day world and offers a glimpse of the way it touches the lives of humans. A beautiful, creative story makes Winter’s Tale a worthy pick.
Winter’s Tale is a fantasy through and through. The story deals explicitly with miracles, destiny, and the struggle between good and evil. But unlike other fantasy stories, the magic in the world ties directly into the hopes and dreams of humanity. The fantasy elements aren’t there for their own sake; they are a reflection of the challenges that Peter and Beverly face and the help—sometimes subtle, sometimes overt—needed to overcome them.
The result is a goregous movie with a fairy tale-esque plot, a fascinating setting, and a keen sense of enchantment. The romance skews a little idyllic, a choice that some viewers won’t like, but it does give the film an effective emotional core. The story also takes an odd turn or two, but those willing to suspend their disbelief will enjoy it nonetheless. However, those who can’t lose themselves in the fantasy won’t get much out of the movie.
Winter’s Tale is an uplifting movie that will appeal to viewers who are romantics at heart. Its well-crafted world takes a step beyond the ordinary, showing just a bit of the magic going on behind the scenes, while its romance is simple and pure. Those who enjoy fantastic expressions of the human condition will find that Winter’s Tale sings to them. Those who prefer more grounded, realistic love stories should steer clear.
For a more overt fantasy adventure wrapped around a romantic core, try Stardust. For a fantasy romance with a more bizarre premise, try The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. For a darker portrait of historical New York, try Gangs of New York.
6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fine craftsmanship and a beautiful tone.