IMDb user comments for
Shadowlands (1993) More at IMDbPro »

Filter:

Best Chronological Prolific Authors Loved It Hated It Hide Spoilers:

Page 3 of 8:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Index

74 comments in total

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Fourth time's the charm, 31 July 2005

Author: ballyhoopla from United States

It took me four tries in a span of 12 years to make it through the entirety of this movie. The first time I watched it, I only made it through the first 20 minutes before I was bored out of my mind and abandoned it. I was too young to appreciate it. The second time I was either in my late teens or early twenties and, again, only made it through the first quarter before giving up. The third time was 3 years ago and following a horrible break-up, so an emotional love story was just not going to cut it. I made it half way through that time before giving up. Finally today, 12 years later, I watched the entire movie and loved it immensely! Although I cried so hard toward the end I believe my neighbor could hear me. I am a devoted fan of C.S. Lewis and his writings and this movie made him more real and more personal. Anthony Hopkin's performance was absolutely stunning. I was less thrilled with Debra Winger as Joy (although I do normally enjoy her as an actress). I think this movie means so much more to those who are familiar with Lewis and his work. Those who are unfamiliar will appreciate this movie as a love story and spiritual/ personal growth of a celebrated intellectual. I never thought I'd finish this movie, much less like it, but I now consider it one of my favorites.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Shadowlands illustrates the man behind Narnia (spoiler)., 28 October 2004
Author: lelizabe2682 from Nevada, United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Most of us have read C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, or at least, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as children. Maybe we have never given thought to the author who created such a magical land. To those who have read these books as children, may have never known that Lewis was far more than just a children's author, and in fact this was secondary to his work of writing for adults.

One wonders when reading his works for adults, such as The Four Loves, what the man in real life was truly like. The movie Shadowlands shows us a small part of this life. The movie begins near what most would deem was the end of Lewis' life: he was past middle age, had experienced both world wars, and yet, had never been in love. Ironic that a man who had never been in love, or had a family of his own could write such memorable stories such as Narnia. Shadowlands takes us to the point in Lewis' life where he finally does find love.

Although, he is far from embracing when it knocks him on the head. Lewis is a classic example of someone who knows how to explain how to do something (love) and yet, does not know exactly how to do it. When Joy walks into his life, it takes her sickness to make him realize how he truly feels for her.

Anthony Hopkins is amazing in the role of Lewis and adequately portrays a man who doesn't know how to love and is crushed when he learns that after loving he will lose the woman he loves. 'We love to know we're not alone,' says Lewis in a part of the movie, and Hopkins shows how Lewis is able to be alone, and at the same time not be alone, when Joy Gresham comes into his life. Debra Winger's role as Joy is well portrayed: we see a stubborn independent woman who is in love with Lewis the author, and later, Lewis the man. She is strong even in sickness and shows Lewis how to love and how to express his love.

This is a dramatic movie that moves the heart and gives insight to an author who imagined a world full of magic for the minds of children and illustrates how he truly lived and loved during his lifetime. It is a movie that is worth seeing for anyone who would like to know just a little more about the man who created Narnia.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Well-Done Love Story; NOT A Lewis Biography, 24 August 2004
Author: kressk from East Tennessee USA

I well remember discussing this film with a friend who utterly hated it and left before the ending, whereas I was enthralled, returned to see it on big-screen again and promptly bought the VHS when it was released. The key, I believe, is expectations. I knew little of what to expect and was quite happy with this love story about Lewis and his wife. My friend, however, expected a strong focus on Lewis' Christian faith, which was predictably absent from the Hollywood version. The photography is excellent, the music delightful and the acting superb. Some might believe it a bit over-sentimental, but this was one of the film's charms for me. There isn't much food for the intellect here, but a lot of nourishment for the heart. Yes, I was a bit disappointed that there was so little of Lewis' grief and shaken faith, and I'd certainly have preferred that they'd have touched on some of Lewis' many books beyond the Narnia series, but on balance this is a well-done film about a limited portion of this great man's life. It is a remarkably clean film, appropriate for all audiences save perhaps children younger than 10 or so. Shadowlands easily makes my personal "20 favorite films" list.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
The dream vs reality, 7 April 2004

Author: Gary Bezuidenhout (gbezuidenhout@ananzi.co.za) from South Africa

Shadowlands, for me, is a film about dreams overshadowed by reality. In the film, there is this gradual move towards love that has a hauntingly realistic pace. Only to be shattered later by a sudden gash of cold reality! This film reminds us all to be grateful for the moments in our lives that make our hearts sing, and remember that the pain now is part of the happiness then...that's the deal. Watching the movie after my father's death made me realize what those words really mean. We are all going to die, but it is the way we live that will determine the sadness of our death. I have no answers anymore, just the life I live. "We live in the Shadowlands..."

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Beautiful but Rare, 25 February 2004

Author: calastir from The Hague, Netherlands

As a Tolkienfan, I went to see this movie hoping to find out more about J.R.R. Tolkien knowing he and C.S. Lewis were best friends in real life. And indeed he was present in all the pub-scenes in the 'Eagle and Child'. (or 'Bird and Baby' as it is also known)

Surprisingly I was caught by the movie apart from that fact and went to see it twice when it was in the theatre, and surprised I couldn't get a copy on VHS or DVD afterwards. For years I was hunting for it and today I finally found a unique copy in my local videostore of all places and bought it straightaway.

A beautiful movie about a man who finds love late in life.

The key scene near the end between Anthony Hopkins and Joseph Mazzello (who interestingly also starred alongside Richard Attenborough in Jurrassic Park that same year) still brings me to tears.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
A Grief Observed, 25 February 2002
Author: Perelandra from Hamilton, NZ

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Warning- possible spoilers

Shadowlands is one of my favourite films. Anthony Hopkins, although not as quick and witty as the real C.S. Lewis, portrayed Lewis' grief so well that you hurt right along with him. Debra Winger was great as Joy, just like all I've ever read about Joy Gresham, and looked perfect for the part. Visually the film is gorgeous, from Douglas playing in the snow to the very end of the film where C.S. Lewis walks away, and the music is excellent. The part where Douglas tries to enter Narnia from the wardrobe in Lewis' attic is heartbreaking. As a long time fan of nearly all Lewis' works, I could not be more pleased and moved by the film. Watch it and then read A Grief Observed, C.S. Lewis' diary after Joy's death. But watch it, it's magic.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant...what more can I say?, 24 March 2001

Author: (walmington@yahoo.com) from Bristol, England

When I first heard of this film I thought it would be too near 'The Remains of the Day', made in the same year and along the same lines. A repressed English man in repressed England (which it is, I should know!), but I couldn't have been more wrong. There are similarities in his character but it doesn't matter because this film is amazing. Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger are brilliant. Winger as the brash American who falls in love with CS Lewis and he with her. It's such a heart wrenching film, you'll be groaning by the end of it. It hits you in all the right places due to Richard Attenborough's brilliant directing and the acting of the two stars. Watch out for Hopkins at the end sat with Winger's son after her death. I challenge anybody not to feel moved as he breaks down in tears. Or as he sits at her death bed. I don't know how he does it but you are so convinced that he is hurting, as we know he is.

My favourtie all time quote comes from this film and I think it defines the film so well. A vicar speaks to CS Lewis after his wife's death and tells him God is the creator and we can't do anything to change his decisions. And Lewis's reply is: "No, we're the creatures aren't we? We're the rats in the cosmic laboratory. I've no doubt the experiment is for our own good but, uh, still makes God the vivisectionist doesn't it?"

Think about it. I highly recommend this film.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Thoughtful and beautiful, 30 March 2000
Author: (cliffh@themoviesource.com) from Canada

I grew up on the books of C.S. Lewis. The fantasy land of Narnia was as real to me as any other foreign country I'd never visited. So I went into this movie knowing the main character to a degree. As Anthony Hopkins as C.S. Lewis says himself in the film: `We read to know we are not alone.'

As the movie opens Lewis is alone. He's a comfortably single, middle aged and devoutly Christian Oxford Don living a life of quiet academia with his brother. Then Debra Winger as Joy Gresham, a Jewish American single mother comes into his life turning it upside down. They marry and fall in love (In that order.) The story takes a tragic turn but never descends into sentimentality or mawkishness. This is a story about intelligent articulate people dealing with death and loss feelingly, directly and with an emotional depth that is not lessened by their careful appraisal of their own feelings but rather deepened. If tearjerkers repel you with their manipulative abuse of your emotions see this movie that takes the dictum that an unexamined life is not worth living to apply to all aspects of life.

Both light, laughter and love and the Shadowlands.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Deeply moving and touching story+ superb cast = excellent film., 29 April 1999

Author: Bjoern Jacobs from Bremen, Germany

This one is a must-see for all those who like timeless love stories. It will be a delight for those who enjoy seeing outstanding actors giving perfect performances. And you will even take part in thinking about philosophical questions as the purpose of pain and the risk of love. Every detail in Richard Attenborough's great drama is well-made. See how Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger play the at-first-sight uncompatible couple and Joseph Mazzello gives his character a depth that is more than equal to the main roles. I really wonder why the three and Attenborough and William Nicholson (script) haven't won any academy awards. There's no more to say than "This one is so unutterably beautiful that you better watch it for yourself!"

---

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Emotional healing..., 20 April 1999

Author: SamLowry-2 from Port Orchard, WA, USA

Movies are such great stuff. They often get past the bull and right to the heart of things. So it is with "Shadowlands," a film that can provide emotional healing for those who find it hard to commit to another person because they are afraid of losing them. Anthony Hopkins IS CS Lewis, perfectly cast. And Winger is fine. The whole film is full of lines of power...perhaps the best one is delivered by Winger: "The pain then is part of the joy now. That's the deal." The story is almost secondary to the emotional journey of one man's acceptance of his own fragile, limited humanity. To accept love is to also accept the fact it will eventually leave us (death). "Shadowlands" explores this theme better than any movie in recent memory.

---

---

Page 3 of 8:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Add another comment

---

Related Links

Plot summary	Plot synopsis	Amazon.com summary
Ratings	Awards	Newsgroup reviews
External reviews	Parents Guide	Plot keywords
Main details	Your user comments	Your vote history