Winter's Tale

Winter's Tale

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 2/14/14

Reviewed 2/16/14 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Winter's Tale is based on a 1983 book by the same name, but unexpectedly the movie is not the usual romantic drama. It was surprising to see Will Smith playing Lucifer, who I think was miss-cast in this serious role. It was odd that he was kind of a nice devil. While Russell Crowe as demon Pearly Soames was better, he didn't really come across as menacing as you would suspect. I found Colin Farrell (Peter Lake) and Jessica Brown Findlay (Beverly Penn) delightful together and definitely the pair was the best part of the film. Although the supernatural and jumping around in time were executed awkwardly, I still thought it was a pleasant enough story.

The life-long thief Peter Lake (Farrell) is being pursued hot and heavy by Pearly Soames. In the 1890s after rescuing the infant Peter adrift in New York Harbor, Pearly raises him. Peter doesn't want to follow in demon stepdad's footsteps and breaks off. This sets off a lifelong pursuit to kill poor Peter. The problem is "lifelong" for Pearly could be eternity, so he has lots of time to catch Peter.

Doesn't sound much like a romance yet...but Peter is rescued from his pursuers by a magical winged horse that guides him. The horse named "Horse" leads him to Jessica's house. Peter misinterprets Horse's intentions and attempts to rob the mansion. What he doesn't plan on is the beautiful Beverly instantly captivating him. A major roadblock in the quickly brewing romance is that the 21-year-old is dying of Consumption. They don't have much time, maybe six months, so they make haste and Beverly's stern but loving father Mr. Penn (William Hurt) gives a half-hearted approval. Beverly's little sister seems unimportant to the story, but she is the key to the interwoven tale that Peter has to figure out. Jump forward to 2014, and this is where the plot gets pushed very quickly. Peter (now in present day) has to piece together the puzzle that has been laid before him. Meanwhile Pearly gets permission from Lucifer to keep pursuing him "making a deal with the devil".

Encountering Virginia Gamely (Jennifer Connelly) and her dying daughter in the NYC park, is not by chance for Peter Lake. Virginia escorts the very confused Peter around to unravel the mystery. It seems by now that the little sister (of the earlier dying Beverly) should be 100, but she is currently the owner of a newspaper that Peter's new friend Virginia works for. All the paths are crossing as they are supposed to and it may sound confusing, but it really isn't. I liked Winter's Tale, with its magical Disney-like qualities at times, but with all the metaphoric significance the movie misses the importance that the book explains. But that is how the movie adaptation goes. There is never enough time to get in all the details. This is not a home run by any stretch, but in spite of being an unconventional romantic drama, it did get me teary a few times. So if that is the gauge, then mission accomplished.

QUIET Rating system: 2 ½ Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJ