This very slow war-romance-family vendetta epic offered the first evidence that not even the Oscar-winning William Hurt was director-proof. Very old-fashioned in its execution (and set in the 1943-45 period), the plot hands Hurt a rare villainous role as the man who has vowed to kill his sister's new husband, whom he holds responsible for the death of the family father who tried to prevent the marriage. Gregory Nava's direction is top-heavy with symbolism and has no pace, hampered a bit perhaps by the film's complex flashback and flash-forward structure. The script isn't bad, although it has one or two laughable lines even Hurt can't cope with. The best thing in the film is Melissa Leo's utterly sincere portrayal of the beleaguered but strongly-characterised heroine. The climax in a bell-tower is enjoyably badly staged and at least gives the movie a lively final reel if you are still awake and/or watching.


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