Shadows in the Sun

The 'Shadow Dancer' is a very defined and entertaining film. It delivered everything and met my very high expectations, after watching a box of delights flourish in an amazing backdrop of rural Italy. This film is such a light hearted treat it would be a crime if it did not get a worldwide release. The lead characters are awesome and the chemistry between them is a testament not only to their acting but Brad Mirman's script and direction of the movie.

A brilliant Harvey Keitel takes Joshua Jackson under his wing and the two deliver an entertaining insight into the world of writing with sublime performances. Then of course there is the beautiful Claire Forlani who adds sweetness and dexterity to a fabulous cast and story. I would like to see more films written and directed by Brad Mirman for here he has delivered a truly wonderful film that makes you feel alive and wanting to believe again. For this particular genre of film it is up there with the best. If you are a romantic and a dreamer then watch this film.

When you hear about a romantic comedy in which an editor visited a secluded ex-writer won't impress you. And when the first fifteen minutes of the movie show some stereotypical images of rural Italy, you might even pass on it. Exactly out of these overplayed scenes bordering with B-comedy The Shadows in the Sun started to develop.

Eventually, we remained within romantic comedy genre, yet it gets the maximum out of it. At first the characters seemed as if they came from a regular romantic novel, but this evened out to create a framework for some genuine emotion, despite occasional cheesy moments.

If Harvey Keitel was the expected heavyweight in the artistic crew, Claire Forlani was an unexpected surprise. She looked better than ever and mastered a perfect Italian accent.

We might argue what the purpose of cinema should be, but Shadows in the Sun was one of those movies that made me feel good without boring me or making me feel stupid. And this is a rare quality, in particular in romantic comedy.

It would seem that you just can't please some people if the last review of this movie I read is deemed to be correct. As I was unable to find this movie on DVD locally I bought it from overseas.

I loved the story. OK, so it is a feel good movie, it doesn't contain violence, its not action packed and it won't give you the answers to life, the universe and everything, BUT it is a great movie for a rainy Sunday afternoon. It is filled with humour, wit and a touch of tenderness. It both puts a smile on your face and can bring a tear to the eye. The cinematography is beautiful, the actors are well cast, the dialogue snappy. Having watched this several times with friends and family, everyone has enjoyed it and its well worth the time.

I see this movie at the festival at Cannes. I liked it very, very much. It is a very charming and moving story of love, loss and passion. It is funny, but also very emotional and it capture nicely the feeling of Tuscana.

Harvey Keitel plays very well the older writer and you can feel the pain in him for not being able to write. Joshua Jackson (who I am a great fan) is excellent as the young writer afraid to open his heart to writing and life. Claire Forlani is beautiful as the girl he falls in love with and Giancarlo Gianinni... well it is Giancarlo Gianinni a very great actor. I also like very much all the other little characters who live in the little village. They give very much credibility to the film, but the real story is with Keitel and Jackson and there journey together. It is here two men struggle to find the way to their dreams. 'Chi cerca trova'.

I also saw this movie at one of the advance screenings. This is my first time posting on this site, but after seeing this film I had to. I have always loved Italy, in particular, Tuscany. This movie captures the feel of small village life perfectly. Being a huge Joshua Jackson fan I was eager to see the film and I was not disappointed. Jackson and Keitel are wonderful together and the story of this young, reserved writer who is afraid to follow his heart and the older writer who is afraid he cannot be what he once was is magical.

We all live our lives with, hopes, dreams and desires and somehow through time they seem to fade away. This movie deals with the courage it takes to truly follow your heart and do the things you love most.

Of course it is more than that, because Jackson's character also falls in love with Keitels daughter... but will he find the strength and conviction to make it work?

The scenery is fantastic. Ah, Tuscany, the golden light, the stone buildings. Itr is almost as if the village they filmed in is another character in the movie. The lighting is wonderful, filled with shadows... but the key to the movie rests with the performances of Jackson, Keitel and Claire Forlani. Also the actors who play the priest and hotel owner are wonderful.

This is not a big movie... not a huge budget movie... it is a simple story about life... love... and finding it within yourself to reach out and take hold of the things that are most important.

A truly enjoyable movie